The parable of the Prodigal Son and transformation of the commercial cities in North Europe

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24617008
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: 文化学
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Maeno Michiko 名古屋大学, 人文学研究科, 名誉教授 (40157152)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 放蕩息子の寓話 / 北ヨーロッパ / 十三世紀 / 農民像 / 都市文化 / キリスト教モラル / 貨幣表象 / 交換表象

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research plan was drastically changed on the way, because the original methodology proved ineffective to get meaningful outcome. After the viewpoint of economic history was introduced, the research subject, i.e. why the special interest in the parable of the Prodigal Son suddenly broke at the biginning of the 13th century in north France, was reasonably elucidated. In the term of this research, only a few papers were able to be written as much time was spent in order to find the right way of thinking about this remarkable phenomenon, but I am sure, the gained knowdlege is significant and useful to advance my research further in this way.
The main achieved results are: There were some emergent rich farmers in this period.; Clerics and citizens were interested in this phenomenon from different standpoint.; The images full of coins and changeable things in the literature and art in this period reflect such real commercial world.

Free Research Field

北ヨーロッパ文化史