mystic" in literature? I have stumbled upon this idea here and there in literature, but I have never been able to pin down any organized analysis of it. The idea is that in many literary (and some historical) contexts, there is a mystical character "touched" by seizures which are interpreted as transcendant experiences. The character is thus enlightened to levels unknown to the other characters. At times the "mystic" becomes almost an omniccient narrator or even a deus ex machina.
I know that this notion begins to some extent with the egyptian and grecian (mis)understanding of epilepsy, but beyond that, I am a bit stumped.
Has anyone got an insight into the origin or study of this odd literary/artistic/historical concept?
I know that this notion begins to some extent with the egyptian and grecian (mis)understanding of epilepsy, but beyond that, I am a bit stumped.
Has anyone got an insight into the origin or study of this odd literary/artistic/historical concept?