Analysis through narratology

The aim of narratological analysis is to gain some insights into the function of the pages. To do this various foci of narrative theory will be taken out for the analysis of pages 29 to 46 of the Codex Borgia. However, to a certain extent it will depend on the results of the evaluation of the interpretations what can be said through the lens of narratology. Still, it is expected that enough can be said to at least draw some new conclusions or to ask some new questions on which future research can be built. This is because some elements can be analysed without a specific deeper knowledge of the meaning of the imagery. For example, the time indicators, the places and actors, and the sequentiality between scenes can be analysed on the basis of how the images are arranged. It is expected then that the use of narrative theory will help to evaluate the narrative/ritual debate, to give insights in the function of the pages, and to aid in the discussion of interpretation.

34 | Methodology

Narratology works by asking relevant questions which will be answered by looking at the text; a text which in this case is built up out of images. Answering these questions, then, relies on what is being recognized in the imagery, and therefore it must be noted that narratology is also a subjective enterprise. Aspects that will be of importance in the narratological analysis of the pages are space, time, events, and actors. It should be noted that even though these elements will be separated to some extent in the analysis, these elements are interrelated in the whole structure of the pages. They will be analysed separately mainly to provide for a structural analysis, but I will also look at their interrelationship in order to come to new insights in the function of the pages.

The events and actors will be taken together in the analysis to some extent as I will look at the relationship between certain actions and the actors that perform them in order to recognize the function that each figure has in the scenes; the actions of the actor may give the actor some qualifications (Bal 2009, 131). Furthermore, I will look at who the main actors are and what the roles of various figures in the scenes seem to be. Main characters may be recognized on the basis of their repetitiveness or size in the scenes, as this indicates emphasis and thus importance (Bal 2009, 132). If it is possible to determine the relationship between actors this may also give an indication as to what the relationship towards the reader is.

Specifically about the events the following questions will be asked: what kinds of events are presented and do the events follow a certain line or theme? Are they linked to one another, and if so, how? The relation between events can be based on various things; for example on the basis of time (or logic of events), the locations in which they occur, and the re-occurrence of certain actors (Bal 2009, 200-202). This is indicative of the structure of the series of events (Bal 2009, 194).

For the element of space I will look into the emphasis that is given to each environment or building, which can become apparent through frequent appearance or large representation in the scenes, but also through the function that places have within the events. This might indicate which kind of environment is important for which act and how the scenes may be related to one another.

On the subject of time the analysis will focus on how time is structured across the pages and how this is related to one another. So, is there a time span presented? Are there specific dates mentioned and, if so, how are the dates related to one another? This might indicate whether the scenes are ordered chronologically or if there is something else going on. It is therefore also an indicator for the presence of a more strict sequence

35 | Methodology

of events or separate rituals; or better said it shows the extent to which the sequence of pages can be considered a narrative.

Furthermore, the aspect of focalization is relevant for the pages. Questions of interest that will be discussed are: What is focalized? What is depicted, and (if possible to answer) what is not? And what does that mean? Does the reader know what the characters are thinking or can he or she perceive only their external actions? Thus, is the focalization character-bound or external? This will be answered by looking at how the actors are depicted.

Based on the results of these questions together I will eventually look at the overall structure of the scenes and this will be discussed in relation to the problems and disagreements in the interpretations that have been pointed out earlier, in order to provide new conclusions about the pages.

36 | Iconographical Interpretations