Dr. Marcel Elias

Marcel Elias, an assistant professor at Yale and expert in medieval literature, dives into the intricacies of crusade romances in his latest work. He discusses how these narratives reveal anxieties about divine endorsement and the morality of violence. Elias explores the character of the Muslim warrior who converts, challenging Christian notions of power. He introduces 'reverse Orientalism,' depicting Muslim virtues alongside critiques of Christians. The conversation illuminates how these medieval texts express complex emotions and reflect on the crusading mindset.