The Semiotics of The Name of the Rose: Decoding Umberto Eco's Literary Masterpiece
05.24.2023 // By Tome Tailor
A visit to a mysterious labyrinthine library in a secluded monastery inspires Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose, a postmodern magnum opus that combines elements of historical fiction, mystery, medieval studies, and semiotics. Semiotics- the science of signs, symbols, and communication - is the cornerstone of Eco’s novel, and understanding its role can unveil hidden meanings and shed light on the work’s complex narrative structure. In this blog post, we will decode Eco’s book using semiotics, peeling back the molecular layers that make it an enduring piece of literature.
Umberto Eco, an Italian scholar and writer, is well-known for his work in semiotics, cultural criticism, and medieval aesthetics. In 1980, he published his first novel, The Name of the Rose, to critical acclaim, cementing his reputation as a literary powerhouse. The book has been adapted into a successful film starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater and a TV series with John Turturro and Rupert Everett.
Set in a Benedictine monastery in northern Italy in 1327, the novel follows Franciscan friar William of Baskerville and his young apprentice Adso of Melk as they investigate a series of bizarre murders in the abbey. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a rich and multilayered world of signs, secrets, and hidden truths.
Semiotic Foundations: Eco’s Core Concepts
At its core, The Name of the Rose is an exercise in semiotics and mirrors its complex system of signs and symbols. Eco’s novel dances around themes such as biblical allegory, medieval manuscripts, and philosophical debates. By weaving these intricate threads together, he creates a dense tapestry that both entertains and educates.
To truly understand this masterpiece, it’s essential to grasp the concept of semiotics. Eco defined semiotics as the study of “everything that can be used in order to lie.” Put simply; semiotics examines how humans communicate through signs and symbols. This communication can manifest through spoken words, written text, body language, or even within the structure of a piece of music or a painting.
Biblical and Manuscript Allegory
One of the most significant ways The Name of the Rose employs semiotics is through its numerous biblical allegories. The title of the novel itself is a veiled reference to the biblical apocryphal book, Wisdom of Solomon:
“Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep and wisdom? Wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness, she pervades and penetrates all things. For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty… She is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness.” (Wisdom of Solomon 7:24-26)
Eco’s novel echoes this passage when the protagonists uncover the mystery surrounding the complex labyrinth at the heart of the monastery’s library. The library, a secretive and forbidden space, is a symbol of wisdom and the pursuit of knowledge. The biblical allegories contribute layers of meaning to the characters’ actions, creating a sophisticated and nuanced reading experience.
Labyrinth: A Semiotic Maze
Another semiotic motif deployed in The Name of the Rose is the labyrinth. It represents not only the physical library around which much of the story revolves but also the more abstract maze of signs and symbols that serves as the hidden thread connecting the narrative. The characters’ journey through the library becomes a metaphor for their navigation of the semiotic labyrinth and the decoding of its many signs.
This labyrinthine structure is also reflected in the novel’s narrative, as Eco masterfully employs intertextuality and self-referentiality to deepen its plot. For instance, the text is filled with citations and references to real historical texts such as the Divina Commedia[^1^] by Dante Alighieri, adding another layer of meaning and showcasing Eco’s semiotic prowess.
Conclusion: Lost in the Labyrinth, Found in the Truth
Ultimately, Eco’s The Name of the Rose is a microcosm of semiotic theory. The sprawling library labyrinth, the ecclesiastical symbolism, the intertextuality, and the constant presence of signs to be deciphered all coalesce to create a novel that both entertains and educates.
The book is an intricate network of ideas and symbols, challenging the reader to decode its many layers and hidden clues. Unlocking the semiotic universe contained within Eco’s novel is a rewarding and enriching experience that will leave readers wanting more.
If you want to get lost in the labyrinth of The Name of the Rose, you can buy the book or listen to the audiobook on Amazon.
[^1^]: View Dante Alighieri’s Divina Commedia on Amazon