logo

52 pages 1 hour read

The Discarded Image

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1964

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
C. S. Lewis

The Discarded Image

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1964
Book Details
Pages

244

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Period
Setting

1960s

Publication Year

1964

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Discarded Image by C. S. Lewis is a 1964 nonfiction book that examines how medieval Europeans conceptualized the universe, heavily influenced by ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. It explores the Medieval Model of the cosmos, their astrological beliefs, and their mythical creatures like fairies. Lewis explains how medieval literature reflected these ideas and offers insights into their historical understanding. The text incorporates some racist beliefs and outdated terminology.

Informative

Contemplative

Inspirational

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.5

3,303 ratings

84%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

C. S. Lewis's The Discarded Image masterfully explores medieval and Renaissance literature, earning praise for its insightful analysis and engaging prose. Readers appreciate its clarity and depth, though some find its detail overwhelming. Overall, it's a compelling read for literature enthusiasts, offering a rich understanding of historical perspectives.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Discarded Image?

A reader fascinated by medieval literature, cosmology, and the history of ideas will enjoy The Discarded Image by C. S. Lewis. Comparable to readers of Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose and J. R. R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion, this audience appreciates deep historical context and scholarly analysis of classical texts.

4.5

3,303 ratings

84%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

C. S. Lewis

A British writer and Oxford professor who acts as a guide in exploring medieval literature, demonstrating the influence of Classical works on the Medieval Model.

An ancient Greek philosopher whose dialogues and ideas had a significant impact on medieval writers, notably through the influence of neo-Platonism.

A Greek philosopher and student of Plato, known for his theories on the division of the cosmos, which influenced medieval cosmology.

A Roman mathematician and astronomer whose geocentric model established the foundation for medieval cosmological understanding.

A Roman philosopher whose writings on rhetoric, politics, and dreams profoundly influenced medieval thought and literature.

A pre-Christian Roman writer who preserved and expanded on classical ideas, influencing later medieval literary works.

A Roman poet whose works helped transmit Classical themes into the Medieval Era.

A Roman writer known for bridging classical philosophy and medieval thought through the adaptation of Platonic ideas.

A Roman poet whose works served as a key link between ancient and medieval literary traditions.

A writer who reimagined Plato's ideas to align with Christian thought, ensuring the survival of Platonic philosophy in a Christian context.

An author who expanded on Cicero's ideas, bringing allegorical interpretations to medieval audiences.

A writer noted for blending Christian and pagan elements, his work impacted medieval cosmology and theology.

An author whose writings contained both pagan and Christian themes, influencing many medieval thinkers.

An English poet known for writing in Middle English, whose works are rich in references to classical and medieval sources.

An Italian poet famous for 'The Divine Comedy', who used the Medieval Model to explore themes of the cosmos and spirituality.

A writer who utilized Christian neo-Platonist themes and allegory to discuss creation and metaphysics.

A theologian who integrated Aristotelian and neo-Platonist ideas into a Christian framework, revered by later writers.

Book Details
Pages

244

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Period
Setting

1960s

Publication Year

1964

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.