The Cloud-authors' remaking of the Pseudo-Dionysius' mystical theology

Abstract

The Cloud of Unknowing and its companion texts were among the outstanding accomplishments of the flowering of English spiritual writing that occurred in the late fourteenth century. As a prelude to his final poetic evocation of contemplative fulfilment in The Cloud itself, the anonymous author formulates the paradox on which his instruction is based. Although the intellect as a spiritual faculty can know all created spiritual things, he writes, except through its failing it cannot know God, who is both spiritual and uncreated. He elucidates with a quote from the Pseudo-Dionysius' On the Divine Names: 'þe moste goodly knowyng of God is þat, þe whiche is knowyn bi vnknowyng' (125.11-12).' He then takes the opportunity to comment on this source, on citing authorities, and on intellectual presumption.