New philology (medieval studies)

New Philology is a theoretical approach to medieval literature and textual studies that emerged in the 1980s and 1990s as a critical response to traditional philology and, in some ways, New Criticism. While not a unified school of thought, new philology encompasses a range of methodologies united by a focus on the material text, historical context, and the social forces that shaped its production, transmission, and reception.

Traditional philology, often associated with a focus on establishing authoritative texts and tracing linguistic origins, was seen by proponents of new philology as overly concerned with reconstructing ideal, often unattainable, original versions of texts. New philologists argue that such efforts often overlook the inherent instability and variability of medieval texts, which were frequently copied, adapted, and reinterpreted in manuscript culture.

Key tenets of new philology include:

• Emphasis on Manuscript Culture: A deep engagement with the physical aspects of manuscripts, including their layout, decoration, marginalia, and the hands of scribes, as crucial components of textual meaning. Manuscripts are not simply passive carriers of texts but active participants in shaping their interpretation.

• Focus on Textual Instability: Recognition of the inherent variation and fluidity of medieval texts, rejecting the notion of a single, definitive version. Instead, each manuscript witness is viewed as a unique and valid instantiation of the text.

• Historicization of Texts: Placing texts firmly within their historical, social, and political contexts, examining the ways in which texts reflect and influence the societies that produced them. This includes attention to issues of patronage, audience, and the conditions of manuscript production.

• Reader-Oriented Criticism: Consideration of the role of readers and audiences in shaping the meaning of texts. New philologists examine how different readers in different times and places might have interpreted a given text.

• Rejection of Authorial Intentionality: While not entirely dismissing the role of the author, new philology often downplays the importance of recovering the author's original intention, focusing instead on the multiple layers of meaning that accrue to a text over time.

• Interdisciplinary Approach: Drawing upon insights from fields such as history, art history, social history, and cultural studies to provide a more comprehensive understanding of medieval texts and their contexts.

New philology has significantly influenced medieval studies by prompting scholars to reconsider the ways in which they approach and interpret medieval texts. It has led to a greater appreciation for the materiality of texts, the complexity of manuscript culture, and the diverse perspectives of medieval readers and audiences. Although the term "new philology" is less frequently used today, its principles continue to inform contemporary scholarship in medieval literature and textual studies.