This study explores a prominent Italian Renaissance theme, the origin of genius, revealing how the coalescence of a Platonic theory of divine frenzy and an Aristotelian theory of melancholy genius eventually disintegrated under the force of late Renaissance events.
The book delves into the life of Benedictine abbot Trithemius, who navigated the complexities of the early modern debate on occult studies amidst significant historical movements such as mysticism, the Reformation, and the scientific revolution. Initially recognized for his contributions to monastic reform and mystical theology, Trithemius later embraced magic, paralleling the story of Faustus. His theoretical work, particularly in cryptography, aimed to reconcile magic with Christian doctrine, portraying it as a means to elevate the soul from the finite to the infinite.