Chapter Eight. Constructing the inimical jew in the Cantigas de Santa Maria: Theophilus’s magician in text and image

Isaac Ibn Sahula and King Alfonso X: Possible Connections between the Book Meshal Haqadmoni and the C?ntigas de Santa Maria

“…This notion is apparent in the poems, whether it is the King's position or not [19,42]. Therefore, the illustrations are less representative of Alfonso X's attitude toward the Jews, and more reflective of the social atmosphere around him, so although the manuscripts were produced in his court, they represent ideas prevalent in society at the time.…”

“…Therefore, the illustrations are less representative of Alfonso X's attitude toward the Jews, and more reflective of the social atmosphere around him, so although the manuscripts were produced in his court, they represent ideas prevalent in society at the time. The illuminations in Alfonso's book not only illustrate the text, but also interpret it; in some instances, the artists added information to the poem, so even if the Jew did not participate as a main character in a story, the artist portrayed him in most scenes and emphasized his grotesque nature [42].…”

“…Although the Jew in the song is mentioned in only a single verse, the illustrations nonetheless portray the Jew in two scenes out of six. The text states that Theophilus acted on the advice of a Jew: "per conssello dun judeu, " [1], and the scenes portray the Jew as associated with and resembling the Devil in his grotesque appearance [42,43]. Hatton and Mackay, on the other hand, claim that in comparison to the story Milagros de Nustra Señora, written by Gonzalo de Berceo (c. 1198-after 1252), the Jew's presence is minor, and he is mentioned as merely a consultant [40].…”