"The Name of the Rose"

Analytical Essay # 26875

English > Analysis
Literature > Italian

A discussion of the theme of the world of books in relation to "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco.

1,946 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2003 United Kingdom

Paper Summary:

There are several different 'worlds of books' within 'The Name of the Rose'. The novel itself is a world of books, containing subtle and obvious references to scores of other literary works. Within that is the Medieval world the novel is set in, where books were a measure of wealth. Within this world is the monastery - another world filled with books, and within this is the library containing books from around the world. This paper attempts to unravel this bewildering array of books within books and worlds within worlds.

From the Paper:

"First, it is important to ascertain just what is meant by the phrase "world of books" with regards to the novel The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. There are several ways in which The Name of the Rose could be seen to contain the theme "the world of books," and it is worth looking at all of them to see how cleverly Eco has incorporated this concept into the narrative at many different levels. The Name of the Rose itself could be seen as a "world of books" in its own right, as it is a novel written almost entirely from other books. Eco declared that The Name of the Rose was his attempt to write nothing original, but a book written entirely from texts already in existence. Another kind of "world of books" is the medieval world where the story is set. In this world, books were the treasured property of an elite few, mainly the rich and the clergy, the only people who could afford books (all being handwritten with exquisite care) or indeed, read them. The possession of books denoted wealth, intelligence and status. The more books a man owned the more respected he would be. Monasteries were the places where most books were produced, and although the novel is set in a monastery because Eco "felt like poisoning a monk" (Reflections on The Name of the Rose, p.13) this setting allowed Eco to present another kind of "world of books," a monastery, where books were of great importance. The monastery is a place where books are constantly spoken of, and sought for, read and reproduced. Within the monastery itself, is yet another world of books, the library. Within its labyrinth of passages is held tremendous knowledge from all over the world. However, not only does the library contain answers to life in general, it also holds the key to all the mysterious happenings in the monastery itself."