Defending Literature in Early Modern England: Renaissance Literary Theory in Social Context (Cambridge Studies in Renaissance Literature and Culture, Series Number 37)

Matz, Robert

ISBN 10: 0521660807 / ISBN 13: 9780521660808

Published by Cambridge University Press, 2000

About this Item

Seller Inventory # BSM.12WB4

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Defending Literature in Early Modern England: Renaissance Literary Theory in Social Context (Cambridge Studies in Renaissance Literature and Culture, Series Number 37)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521660807
• ISBN 13: 9780521660808
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: very_good

About this title

Synopsis

Robert Matz analyzes the defense of literature in Renaissance England in the context of social transformations of the period, particularly those affecting the aristocracy as it 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.

Review

"...an astute and honest, hard-working and well-written book." Renaissance and Reformation