Features of the perception and interpretation of Girolamo Savonarola’s ideas by his contemporaries. The Benivieni dialogue

Introduction. The interest in the problem of perception of the figure of the prophetreformer Savonarola and his ideas can be traced back to the appearance of the first works about the monk. The "anthropological turn" that occurred in historical science in the last decades of the 20th century contributed to increased attention to the social environment of the Dominican. Currently, the topic has not lost its relevance; both due to the introduction of new sources into scientific circulation, and the possibility of rethinking already used materials in accordance with various methodological settings.
Materials and Methods. The analysis of the Benivieni dialogue allows us to see how Savonarola’s "teachings", spreading in various forms among the monk’s contemporaries who did not represent a homogeneous group, were perceived and interpreted in different ways by them. When considering the text of the source, it seemed appropriate to turn to the positions expressed by Michel de Certeau and Roger Chartier, who proposed to consider cultural and intellectual "consumption" as a form of "production", when source texts (books, sermons, etc.) acquire meaning through multiple interpretations of recipients.
Analysis. The conversation between Domenico and his friend Filalete can be divided into three parts. One of them is associated with a review of the works of Savonarola’s supporters and opponents. The mention of specific authors and their works allows us to get an idea of the different approaches to the "teachings" of Fra Girolamo and its various interpretations. Another part of the conversation is the interpretation of the essence of the Dominican doctrine, as Benivieni himself understood it. Finally, the last one is a list of the monk’s published works, through which readers of the Dialogue could independently comprehend his instructions regarding the reformation of cotemporaneous Christians.
Results. In his work, D. Benivieni almost literally reproduces the main provisions of Savonarola’s program for the renewal of the cotemporaneous Church. The author of the "Dialogue" pays considerable attention to the path of personal improvement of each Christian based on gospel models, as well as the works and sermons of the Florentine prophet, without denying the mediating role of the priesthood. The latter met the needs of Domenico’s contemporaries, who felt the need to develop individual piety, but did not seek a break with the official Church.

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