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The Poetic Order of Healing in a Czech Incantation against Erysipelas

The Poetic Order of Healing in a Czech Incantation against Erysipelas GEORGE P. KENT (Vienna, VA, U.S.A.) The Poetic Order of Healing in a Czech Incantation against Erysipelas* Spells and incantations are forms of "intensified" speech used in all primitive and traditional cultures for protection from others and their baleful influences or from the malign forces of the surrounding environment. Spells are said to have been cast when, after the performance of an oral form, a regime of pro- tection is set up around the pertinent individual, preventing him from being victimized or harmed. An incantation, on the other hand, is used after the in- dividual has fallen into harm's way and must be rescued. For this purpose the incantation is most often employed as a healing device. Plato was intrigued by the healing powers of incantations (Channides, 156-157; Phaedrus, 270d; Republic, X, 618b), and although he seems to have been repulsed by the hint of irrationality implicit in the physiological effects of the word, he recognized the crucial role of poetic order in certain psycho- iogical conditions. Indeed, the venerable history of the metaphor drawn be- tween medicine and poetry began with Plato's inquiries into the relationship between "beautiful discourses" ("tous logous einai tous kalous," alarm. 157a) and http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Southeastern Europe Brill

The Poetic Order of Healing in a Czech Incantation against Erysipelas

Kent, George P.
Southeastern Europe , Volume 10 (1): 121 – Jan 1, 1983
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Publisher
Brill
Copyright
© 1983 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands
ISSN
0094-4467
eISSN
1876-3332
DOI
10.1163/187633383X00107
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

GEORGE P. KENT (Vienna, VA, U.S.A.) The Poetic Order of Healing in a Czech Incantation against Erysipelas* Spells and incantations are forms of "intensified" speech used in all primitive and traditional cultures for protection from others and their baleful influences or from the malign forces of the surrounding environment. Spells are said to have been cast when, after the performance of an oral form, a regime of pro- tection is set up around the pertinent individual, preventing him from being victimized or harmed. An incantation, on the other hand, is used after the in- dividual has fallen into harm's way and must be rescued. For this purpose the incantation is most often employed as a healing device. Plato was intrigued by the healing powers of incantations (Channides, 156-157; Phaedrus, 270d; Republic, X, 618b), and although he seems to have been repulsed by the hint of irrationality implicit in the physiological effects of the word, he recognized the crucial role of poetic order in certain psycho- iogical conditions. Indeed, the venerable history of the metaphor drawn be- tween medicine and poetry began with Plato's inquiries into the relationship between "beautiful discourses" ("tous logous einai tous kalous," alarm. 157a) and

Journal

Southeastern Europe – Brill

Published: Jan 1, 1983

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