The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature | Characters & Character Analysis

The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature Important People

Chalcidius

Chalcidius was an ancient writer who is best known for his partial translation of Plato's dialog Timmaeus. Until well into the Middle Ages, this translation was the only Plato available and provided the basis for a great deal of Medieval belief about the constitution of the universe. Along with the dialog, he included his own commentary, which established certain patterns in interpretation. Basing his argument on reverence of Plato, Chalcidius said that only the best and wisest positions should be attributed to him. Thus, if Plato seemed to say something which was demonstrably false, the good interpreter ought to re-interpret it such that a more sound reading could be given.

Drawing from Plato and Apuleius, Chalcidius applied the principle of the triad beyond the interaction between man and God. He argued that human society itself forms a kind of triad. There is, on the one hand, the king...
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