Abstract

In his De otio religioso, Petrarch addresses the community of Carthusian monks at the abbey of Montrieux in southern France. Paradoxically, he presents himself to them as knowledgeable about monastic life, even though in this sense his addressees should be much more knowledgeable than Petrarch. At the same time, the author portrays himself as a great sinner. As such, he cannot have much knowledge in religious matters. Instead, he emphasises his extraordinary cultural competence as a philologist, humanist and book owner, a knowledge that makes him, the sinner, an author capable of instructing monks. Petrarch negotiates the claims to validity asserted by two different cultures (Christian and pagan, late antique/ medieval and ancient/early modern) and tries to position himself as an authoritative figure in both camps.