Entertainment or edification? : a contextual analysis of Simon Goulart's 'Thresor d'histoires admirables'
Abstract
Simon Goulart (1543 - 1628), one of the most prolific writers of his generation, remains an enigma. Modem historians have repeatedly ignored Goulart's vast literary output, failing to recognise and understand his real importance within the Protestant movement. Goulart's life spanned almost six decades, years which would have a deep and lasting impact upon the Reformed church in general and Goulart's work in particular. Indeed, Goulart recorded many of these formative events in his various historical works. This thesis aims to redress this serious imbalance in both our historical knowledge and our understanding, an attempt to locate Goulart within his rightful place at the centre of late sixteenth and early seventeenth-century Reformed life and writing. As will be seen from this thesis, Goulart's life was intimately connected with the history of the Reformed during this turbulent era. Simon Goulart is by no means an easy figure to understand. From his own writings as well as other contemporary sources, reveal Goulart to be a dynamic but pedantic man, embittered and worn down by years of struggle. A fervent moralist, Goulart leaves the reader with little sense of optimism or satisfaction. As a minister he was relentless in the condemnation of his parishioners; as a historian he was swift to denounce both his enemies and his allies, and as a politician he openly criticised established values and ideas. Whilst never a truly original thinker, as this study of the Histoires Admirables will reveal, Goulart spent much of his life attempting to publicise, persuade and popularise his moral and historical agenda. The Histoires Admirables were a central part of this task. Goulart's views cannot be ignored: they go to the heart of the contemporary world which he both supported and condemned. A thorough study of Goulart's life and works is revealing of both the moral and the religious situation which existed in Geneva following the death of Calvin in 1564, a period which still remains notably understudied. Goulart simply cannot be divorced from his contemporary world, a world in which he became so deeply engaged. Not only was Goulart one of the leading pastors in Geneva, but following Beza's death in 1605 he became the principal voice of Reformed politics and belief, both within Geneva and beyond. Beyond this he had an established reputation as a minister and writer with an international following and reputation. Indeed, he was one of the most prominent of all Reformed writers. Through a study of a selected number of Goulart's works, and the Histoires Admirables in particular, not only will Goulart's writings and thought be better understood, but a considerable insight can be gained into his social, political and religious world.
Type
Thesis, MPhil Master of Philosophy
Collections
Items in the St Andrews Research Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.