I’ve written a historical fiction play in two acts (and an epilogue). The last time I wrote a play was 23 years ago. I’ve written a couple of plays, in fact. They were produced at my local community college in Glendale, Ca. One was plot-driven. The other was character driven. The third was a one-person show.
I also wrote a historical fiction novel, if you’re interested.
Historical fiction is a genre of literature that combines historical events and characters with fictional elements. My play takes place in the early 17th century and is based on real historical events, figures, and settings. The encounter, and ensuing events are imagined around an actual series of historically recorded events (e.g., the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Revival, the Augsburg Settlement, The Bohemian Revolt, the 30 Years War, the Battle at White Mountain, etc.). There is very little evidence that my main characters, the historically known Count Michael Maier and Rene Descartes, ever met. Much of the play is a dialogue between the two.
NOTE: there is documented evidence that they were both intimately familiar with King Fredrick V and Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia (also characters in my play), which is why I believe the two of them having met is not outside the realm of possibility.
I wrote the play in modified Early Middle English. Authentic Early Middle English would be incomprehensible to most modern English speakers, so I’m toning it down. Thus, the “modification.”
One of the main characters is Count Michael Maier. I’ve spent about three months learning everything I can about the man. And while researching and developing this play, I’ve really grown to appreciate who this guy was.
So, I thought I’d tell you a little about him.
The Good Doctor
Count Michael Maier (1568-1622) was a German physician, alchemist, and author who played an important role in the development of alchemy and the Hermetic tradition during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
He was born in Rendsburg, Germany, in 1568. Maier studied medicine at the University of Rostock and later at the University of Frankfurt. After completing his studies, he served as a physician at the court of the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II in Prague. During this time, he became interested in alchemy, an ancient practice that has its roots in several different cultures and traditions, including Egyptian, Greek, and Chinese.
At its core, alchemy is an attempt to understand the nature of matter and manipulate it to create something of more value. Most of society knows alchemy’s main goal is transmuting base metals into gold. This process, known as "chrysopoeia," was believed to be possible using a substance known as the "philosopher's stone." The philosopher's stone was thought to be a powerful substance that could change the properties of matter and was sought after by alchemists for centuries. It was also considered a metaphoric conception of self-actualization.
Alchemy also had a spiritual dimension, often called "inner alchemy" or "spiritual alchemy." This aspect of alchemy was focused on personal transformation and spiritual development rather than the manipulation of matter. It was believed that through the practice of alchemy, individuals could attain a higher level of understanding and enlightenment.
Alchemy has been practiced for centuries, and its techniques and ideas have evolved. Many of the concepts and practices of alchemy were eventually incorporated into modern chemistry, pharmacology, biology, physics, and medicine (e.g., studying metals and developing new chemical processes). In fact, although Maier was a well-known alchemist, he refused to refer to the tradition as such. He preferred the Greek “chimeía” (χημεία). Maier was probably the primary reason the word “alchemy” was eventually replaced by “chemistry” in the European Zeitgeist. In his writings, he would Germanify “chimeía” into “Chemie.”
Early Days
Maier traveled extensively throughout Europe, studying with some of the most renowned alchemists of his time. He also became interested in the Hermetic tradition, a set of spiritual and philosophical teachings believed to have originated with the ancient Egyptian legendary hierophant, Hermes Trismegistus.
He wrote several books on alchemy and Hermeticism, some of which were published under a pseudonym (Michael Maierus, Michael Praetorius). His most famous work, Atalanta Fugiens, was published in 1617 and is considered one of the most important alchemical texts of the European Renaissance. The book consists of a series of emblematic illustrations accompanied by verse and a commentary, and it is a masterful synthesis of alchemical and Hermetic ideas.
Maier's influence can also be seen in the work of other alchemists and Hermeticists of his time, such as Robert Fludd and Thomas Vaughan. His ideas also impacted the development of later esoteric movements, such as Rosicrucianism.
Maier’s Stone
Atalanta Fugiens is considered a complex allegory describing the path toward the philosopher's stone. In his book, Maier used a variety of symbols and images to convey alchemical and Hermetic ideas, including the philosopher's stone. In addition to its supposed physical properties of conferring longevity and unlimited ability to its possessor, the philosopher's stone also had a spiritual dimension. It was believed that obtaining the philosopher's stone would bring about physical changes, spiritual growth, and enlightenment.
Maier’s masterpiece is a book that has captivated readers' minds for centuries. It's a work of alchemy itself. But like most things shrouded in mystery, an allure always draws people in. And so, I found myself diving into the depths of this enigmatic book, seeking to uncover its secrets.
First off, I have to say that the book is a work of art. The illustrations and verses are beautifully crafted. Moreover, each illustration, or emblem, is accompanied by a short canon (which Maier refers to as fugues, a play on words with the book's title). As I delved deeper into the book, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
Emblemata was a genre of literature that combined visual imagery and text to convey a specific message or moral lesson. It was an early European Renaissance attempt to create immersive, multi-media experiences for the paying customer. "Emblem" refers to a symbol or image accompanied by a motto or inscription.
So, emblem books typically consisted of a collection of emblems, each consisting of an image, a motto, and a poem or epigram. The image, usually an allegory or symbolic representation, conveyed a moral or philosophical message, and the motto and poem or epigram provided further explanation or commentary.
Emblem books were widely popular during the 16th and 17th centuries and were used for various purposes. They were used as educational tools to teach moral and ethical values, as well as for entertainment and as an art form. They were also used to convey political and religious messages, and they played an important role in spreading the Baroque style and developing the visual arts.
The genre of emblemata was particularly popular in Europe, with the most notable example being the work of the German humanist Andrea Alciato, who published the first emblem book, Emblemata, in 1531. The genre saw a resurgence in popularity in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, with notable examples such as Atalanta Fugiens and Maier’s other book of emblems, Silentium Post Clamores.
Atalanta Fugiens’ central premise is the philosopher's stone, a substance believed to have the power to turn base metals into gold and grant immortality or rejuvenation. It could only be attained through spiritual enlightenment and transformation. This is where the book's true power lies. Atalanta Fugiens is not just a book about alchemy; it guides self-discovery and personal transformation. Through the use of symbols and imagery, the author guides the reader on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
The book's emphasis on secrecy and initiation is also crucial to its power. Maier believed that the book's true meaning could only be understood by those who were initiated into the secrets of alchemy and Hermeticism. This emphasis on secrecy creates a sense of exclusivity, making the reader feel like they are part of an elite group, privy to knowledge not available to the general public.
Nobility and Departure
In 1608, he traveled to Prague, officially joining Rudolf II's service as a physician and imperial counselor on September 19, 1609. Shortly thereafter, Rudolf II bestowed upon him the title of Imperial Count Palatine and elevated him to hereditary nobility on September 29, 1609. Maier was also given a coat of arms featuring a bird and a frog linked together by a golden chain.
During this time, Maier published a limited print run of De Medicina Regia et vere Heroica, Coelidonia (1609), which included his autobiography. The emperor's fascination with the occult was a significant factor in his high regard for Maier. However, Rudolf II's political situation drastically deteriorated by April 1611, and he was imprisoned in his castle in Prague. As a result, Maier departed the city that month.
Maier's Last Years
The last years of his life were marked by political and religious turmoil, as well as personal challenges.
Maier traveled to England, where he became the personal physician of King James I. He also became further involved with the Rosicrucian movement, which was then gaining popularity in Europe. Maier wrote several works on alchemy, Hermeticism, and Rosicrucianism, including "Lusus Serius" (1616) and "Themis Aurea" (1618).
In 1620, Maier returned to Germany, where he became the court physician to the Elector Palatine, Frederick V. However, the following year, Frederick was defeated in the Battle of White Mountain, and his lands were seized by the Catholic Habsburgs. Maier lost his position and was forced to flee to England once again.
Maier's personal life was also marked by tragedy. He lost his wife and children to the plague, and he himself suffered from poor health. He died in 1622 in England, at the age of 54.
Despite the challenges he faced in his later years, Maier made significant contributions to the fields of alchemy, Hermeticism, and Rosicrucianism. His works continue to be studied and revered by scholars and practitioners of these disciplines today.