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tears of Narcissus, The

By Lynn Enterline

Book Description

The Tears of Narcissus invites readers on a profound exploration of the masculine psyche through the lens of Renaissance literature and modern psychological insight. Lynn Enterline examines how melancholy and self-reflection intersect in the works of literary masters including Shakespeare, Marvell, Tasso, and Webster, revealing unexpected depths about identity formation and emotional complexity.

Through careful analysis of poetic language and literary structure, this scholarly work uncovers how encounters with mirror images and self-examination create both disruption and definition in masculine identity. Enterline demonstrates that the very language used to express melancholic states simultaneously fragments and shapes our understanding of what constitutes the male self in these classical texts.

Drawing connections between psychoanalytic theory and literary criticism, the book illuminates the intricate relationships between desire, subjectivity, and artistic expression. Readers interested in the psychology of identity will discover how epic poetry, lyric verse, and dramatic works reveal the tensions between outward presentation and inner experience.

This interdisciplinary approach offers fresh perspectives on how literature captures the complexities of human consciousness and emotional life. By examining the formal and rhetorical challenges within these texts, Enterline provides insights into the enduring questions of selfhood, sexuality, and the role of art in understanding our deepest psychological patterns.

The work appeals to those seeking to understand how creative expression reflects and shapes our inner worlds.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~12 hours)

📄 Length: 429 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore History and criticism
  • ✓ Explore Melancholy in literature
  • ✓ Explore Psychoanalysis and literature
  • ✓ Explore English literature
  • ✓ Explore Male authors
  • ✓ Understand psychological principles
  • ✓ Explore In literature
  • ✓ Explore Male authors, English

Topics Covered

History and criticism Melancholy in literature Psychoanalysis and literature English literature Male authors Psychology In literature Male authors, English English Male authors Tears in literature Masculinity in literature Authors, English Crying in literature Self in literature Narcissus (Greek mythology) in literature English Authors Men in literature

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