Strategies of Evidentiality and the Search for Self-identity of Beings in Theodore Metochites: Some Observations
In the 17th Treatise (ca. 1330-1331, according to M. Gigante), Theodore Metochites uses a set of evidentiality strategies traditional for Byzantine language practice, i.e. introducing indirect, insufficiently verified information into the text: 1) I-statements with egocentric words; 2) an appeal to something generally recognized and well-known. This serves him to carry out the main idea in this word that “Demosthenes is Demosthenes”, i.e. a model and standard for rhetors, but despite this, Aelius Aristides in the 2nd century not only imitated him, but entered into creative competition with him. The principle of mimesis (imitatio) is replaced by Theodore with the principle of aemulatio - competitiveness. This once again shows the richness of the key creative principles of late Byzantine intellectual culture. Not really believing in the presence of good Providence in the world, Metochites, in search of stability and self-identity in being, turns to ancient philosophy (Plotinus) and literature. In stages and typologically, his views correspond to the ideas of representatives of early Italian humanism (such as Boccaccio).