Defending literature in early modern England : Renaissance literary theory in social context

Resource Information

The work Defending literature in early modern England : Renaissance literary theory in social context represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in European University Institute. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

Defending literature in early modern England : Renaissance literary theory in social context

Title remainder

Renaissance literary theory in social context

Statement of responsibility

Robert Matz

Creator

• Matz, Robert

Subject

• English literature -- Early modern, 1500-1700 -- History and criticism | Theory, etc
• Literature and society -- England -- History -- 16th century
• Renaissance -- England
• Social change -- England -- History -- 16th century
• Social change in literature
• Criticism -- England -- History -- 16th century

Language

eng

Summary

Why was literature so often defended and defined in early modern England in terms of its ability to provide the Horatian ideal of both profit and pleasure? This book, first published in 2000, analyses Renaissance literary theory in the context of social transformations of the period, focusing on conflicting ideas about gentility that emerged as the English aristocracy evolved from a feudal warrior class to a civil elite. Through close readings centered on works by Thomas Elyot, Philip Sidney and Edmund Spenser, Matz argues that literature attempted to mediate a complex set of contradictory social expectations. His original study engages with important theoretical work such as Pierre Bourdieu's and offers a substantial critique of New Historicist theory. It challenges recent accounts of the power of Renaissance authorship, emphasizing the uncertain status of literature during this time of cultural change, and sheds light on why and how canonical works became canonical.--

Member of

• Cambridge studies in Renaissance literature and culture, 37

Assigning source

Provided by publisher

Cataloging source

UkCbUP

Index

index present

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

dictionaries

Series statement

• Cambridge studies in Renaissance literature and culture
• Cambridge Social Sciences eBooks

Series volume

37