Talk:Heptameron

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The following was sent to the HelpDesk-l mailing list by Prof. Randolph P. Runyon of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio <runyonr@muohio.edu> I'm not sure if I have the time or knowledge to do anything about it myself but did not want it to disappear
DickSummerfield 22:24, 1 January 2006 (UTC)

I'm not up to writing an article myself for the Wikipedia, but I must let you know that the article on Marguerite de Navarre's Heptameron is utter nonsense. Three assertions in particular are totally false: (1) "The first part of the collected text in the Heptameron is supposedly written by Italian physician-astrologer and magic enthusiast, Peter of Abano." No, Marguerite wrote the whole thing. (2) "The remainder of the collection of the book consisting of medieval spells and stories are authored by the queen of Navarre, Margaret of Angoulême.... The magical connotation of the book referred to the invocation of spirits in the style of the grimoires, touching upon elementary magickal practices." [HelpDesk-l] Heptameron.ems The Heptameron is not a book about magic. It does not in any significant way consist of medieval spells. (3) "The stories were supposed to be related in seven days, hence the meaning of Heptameron (Greek hepta, 'seven', and hemera, 'day')." Marguerite had intended to write 100 stories, not 70 or 72. She died before she could complete them. As far as Marguerite was concerned, the stories were to have been related in ten days, not seven. The title "Heptameron" was added by a later editor because there were, in effect, about seventy stories. I suggest you just delete the article entirely and wait for a fresh contribution. Randolph P. Runyon runyonr@muohio.edu

This is utter nonsense, there is a strong case that several scholars believe that it is possible that the book is intended as a grimoire with hidden messages. Similar to the book of the Black Pullet. As for "The stories were supposed to be related in seven days, hence the meaning of Heptameron" this is pretty self-explanatory and makes sense thus it not only gives purpose to the titles but to the book itself I do not understand your argument here other than the fact that you're saying she did not finish the book as she intended it to be - but this could be applied anywhere. The fact of the matter is the name coincides with the elements and essence of the book de facto. As for your first query that ""The first part of the collected text in the Heptameron is supposedly written by Italian physician-astrologer and magic enthusiast, Peter of Abano." This is mere speculation and it is renound, therefore deserves a mention even if it is not true. 82.155.15.197 19:11, 3 January 2006 (UTC)