transported, a passage from The Name of Rose

[mmasny]

Adso of Melk for the first time contemplates the abbatial church's inside:

Before the throne, beneath the feet of the Seated One, a sea of crystal flowed, and around the Seated One, beside and above the throne, I saw four awful creatures - awful for me, as I looked at them, transported, but docile and dear for the Seated One, whose praises they sang without cease.

What does transported mean here? Raptured?

 

[kfredson]

Adso of Melk for the first time contemplates the abbatial church's inside:

What does transported mean here? Raptured?

Yes, I believe that enraptured is what is meant here, that is, carried off by powerful emotion, presumably an emotion of awe. Another word to look at would be "awful." Does it mean "terrible" or "awe-inspiring?" From the context I assume that terror-inspiring might be closest to its meaning, but awful can have different meanings when used in a biblical and/or medieval sense.

 

[mmasny]

Thank you.

'Terror-inspiring' is what he meant here for sure. They are described in the following paragraph. You changed my 'raptured' to 'enraptured'. Is it just your stylistic choice or is there a more serious reason?

 

[kfredson]

Thank you.

'Terror-inspiring' is what he meant here for sure. They are described in the following paragraph. You changed my 'raptured' to 'enraptured'. Is it just your stylistic choice or is there a more serious reason?

Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I'm just showing my age. Years ago I believe it was common to say enraptured instead of raptured, but it may be that raptured is now more common. In fact, they may have a slightly different meaning. Raptured may be more common when used in a more religious sense. I'm not sure. Thanks for pointing it out.