COGNITIVE SCHEME OF RENAISSANCE TIME PERCEPTION

COGNITIVE SCHEME OF RENAISSANCE TIME PERCEPTION

Author:  E.A. Nilsen

Affiliation:  St.Petersburg State University of Economics

Abstract: 
This article studies peculiarities of time sense represented in Renaissance English texts. Time perception was either dynamic or relatively static / discrete. The dynamic time apprehension is connected with the infinite time flow, the time-arrow movement. This movement can be linear or cyclical, temperostatic or temperodynamic. In the case of temperostatic model time is viewed as a road which leads a man from his birth to his death. Temperodynamic model shows time as a moving object.
The relatively static / discrete temporality perception focuses on a point of time or a period of time which is thought of as something static, relatively isolated from the time flow. It includes chronography, chronometry, instance, “eventness” and frequency. In the case of chronography certain dates are mentioned in the text. Chronometry indicates time periods. Instance focuses on time points. “Eventness” means that certain events are mentioned instead of dates to pinpoint time periods or moments.
The study shows that “eventness” and relative chronography are significant for Renaissance English belles texts because these models specify the order of events. Subjective chronometry also plays a very important role in XVI–XVII century English texts as for a Renaissance author contemplation on the life span was essential. People pondered over the brevity of life and impossibility of fulfilling their plans within such a short period given them by God.

Keywords:  Renaissance time, cognitive scheme, relatively static / discrete temporality perception, dynamic time perception, linear and cyclical time models

References: 
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Pages:  29-37