catharsis

This article offers an in-depth analysis of the Life of St. Eustathius, examining three key episodes through the lens of narrative structure, the adaptation of ancient literary models and their expressive richness to new Christian content, as well as the transformation of cultural codes and the development of psychological portraits of the characters. It demonstrates how the main Christian themes are interwoven into the narrative through the interplay of the characters’ emotions and their actions guided by reason. The emotional analysis reveals not only the emotions present in the text and their universality to human nature but also their connection to the characters’ rational choices, acting as a driving factor for the progression of the plot. The article also traces the role of perspective shifts in constructing the narrative and reinforcing the Christian message of the legend. The hagiography achieves its didactic purpose through catharsis, realized through the suffering of the saints, which not only prepares the characters for spiritual elevation but also transforms the audience, inspiring profound faith and empathy. Furthermore, the methodology applied here offers a valuable framework for investigating other hagiographies to analyze how narrative techniques, adapted from ancient genres like the novel, epic, and tragedy, are employed in constructing stories within the context of Christian literature. The Life of St. Eustathius is presented as not only a literary masterpiece but also a narrative landmark in the broader context of martyr hagiography, reaffirming its significance in understanding the evolution of narrative strategies in early Christian literature.

Subject: Scripta

Keywords: The Life of St. Eustathius Placidas narrative structure emotions reason narratology psychological analysis of characters Christian hagiography catharsis