The Representation of Children’s Deaths in Florentine Family Books. A Methodology of Researching Emotions in Renaissance Florence

Abstract

The article investigates the death of children and its emotional depiction in Florentine family books of the Tre- and Quattrocento. Following Barbara Rosenwein’s theory of emotional communities, as well as William M. Reddy’s emotives, the essay will present excerpts from the source material to examine the extent to which authors used emotions or “emotional language” to describe their own experiences and events and, if necessary, to communicate “emotionally” with the audience of their texts. Is it possible to identify similarities and differences in the narrative of children’s deaths and, if so, to what degree can these be interpreted? Furthermore, Philippe Ariès’ thesis of emotionally detached relationships of parents regarding their infants will be addressed and questioned.