Marguerite’s Socrates: Clarté de Dieu and Ancient Theology in Marguerite of Navarre’s Les Prisons

Abstract At the dawn of the Renaissance, the role of classical antiquity in the economy of salvation was a topic of intense discussion. Marguerite of Navarre’s Les Prisons provides a unique vantage point for understanding the use of the past during this period. In the poem, Socrates is depicted as a figure enlightened by the Spirit, transcending the limits of human reason. This favorable portrayal suggests a harmonious and teleological perspective on history, which stands in contrast with Augustine’s Confessions , a core model for Les Prisons as demonstrated in detail. Through this lens, the study contributes to a more precise understanding of the dynamic and learned theological exploration of the queen of Navarre, highlighting the nature of her work as at once original and deeply engaged with contemporaneous debate.