Gegenwart als "nahes Ende" - apokalyptisches Denken in der Frühen Neuzeit: der Entwurf eines apokalyptischen Chronotopos nach Bachtin

Abstract

"The following article explores new territory insofar as it attempts to render the literary concept of Mikhail M. Bakhtin's chronotope applicable for an historical interpretation of spatio-temporal practices while at the same time developing elements of the model, thus making it possible to characterize the 'apocalyptic chronotope' in the early modern era. Only with the modification of the components, or rather the model, of the 'apocalyptic chronotope' over the course of time does an analysis of an apocalyptic notion through the use of chronotopoi become possible and fruitful. For this purpose it is undoubtedly necessary to know the individual elements of the 'apocalyptic chronotope.' This is attempted by using the example of a genre which acts as a medium for early modern communication and which literally combines paradigmatic imagery and scripturality - the illustrated pamphlet. Finally, the function of apocalyptics and thus the function of the 'apocalyptic chronotope' in the early modern era are further explored." (author's abstract)