Tradition and innovation of the Lullian exemplum: the Arbre exemplifical

Abstract

The Arbre exemplifical occupies a very important space in the evolution of Llull’s exemplum. The text joins various forms which are already utilized by Llull (realistic examples, fables) with other stories of much more originality, featuring personi cations of all entities, material or spiritual, from the Art («artistic examples»). Those stories are stripped of their attachment to a ctional or discursive framework, and function as an orderly instrumentum to serve the readers. The Arbre exemplifical exceeds its initial intention (to illuminate the Arbre de Ciència), by establishing itself as a repertoire of narrations prepared for insertion into any speech. These narrations are also offered as models for the creation of new stories, confirming the experimental and un nished character that frequently embodies Llull’s exemplary literature.