L’amicizia in Montaigne: autonomia, mescolamento, confraternita

In this article, I put forward a particular reading of the chapter “De l’amitié” from Montaigne’s "Essais", which also draws upon other chapters with which it can be compared. Having dealt with the well-known question of the relationship between Montaigne and La Boétie, I go on to highlight those aspects which characterize the Montaignian model of perfect friendship compared with the paradigms of the ancient world, particularly that of Aristotle. I draw particular attention to the features of autonomy (as opposed to “heteronomous” friendships, the purpose of which is not to be found in the relationship of friendship itself, but elsewhere, in other matters), of mixing (the confusion of wills) and the abolition of the set of attitudes, practices and expectations (such as obligation, gratitude, prayer, thanksgiving) which imply a dividing and hierarchical temporality: a clear division at the heart of the relationship of friendship, which the perfect friendship counters with a synchronic temporality and symmetrical motion. Finally, I will explore a political reading of the chapter by means of the concept of brotherhood, as a possible expansion of the model embodied by the relationship of friendship between Montaigne and La Boétie.