Telling tears in the English Renaissance
By Marjory E. Lange
In the English Renaissance, tears carried profound meaning that extended far beyond simple emotional expression. This scholarly exploration reveals how sixteenth and seventeenth-century society understood weeping as both a universal human experience and a carefully regulated social practice.
Through meticulous examination of medical texts, religious sermons, and lyric poetry from this transformative period, the author uncovers the complex rules that governed who was permitted to weep, who was expected to shed tears, and who was forbidden from such displays. These cultural paradigms underwent dramatic shifts during these centuries, reflecting broader changes in spiritual and social understanding.
For modern readers seeking to deepen their comprehension of human emotion and spiritual expression, this work offers invaluable insights into how our ancestors interpreted tears. Without grasping these historical perspectives, we risk projecting contemporary assumptions onto Renaissance texts and missing their true spiritual and emotional significance.
The book's five chapters methodically analyze different literary forms, from scientific treatises to devotional poetry, revealing how tears functioned as markers of faith, gender, social status, and moral character. This investigation illuminates not only Renaissance culture but also our own relationship with emotional authenticity and spiritual vulnerability.
By understanding how past societies read the language of tears, contemporary seekers can gain fresh perspective on the role of emotion in spiritual growth and human connection.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore History and criticism
- ✓ Explore Englisch
- ✓ Explore Huilen
- ✓ Explore Christian literature
- ✓ Explore Christianisme
- ✓ Explore Engels
- ✓ Explore Tears in literature
- ✓ Explore Literatur
Topics
Details
- Published
- 1996
- Publisher
- E.J. Brill
- ISBN-10
- 9004105174
- Pages
- 279
- Language
- EN
- LC Classification
- PR428.C78 T45 1996
