Description
Medieval European literature was once thought to have been isolationist in its nature, but recent scholarship has revealed the ways in which Spanish and Italian authors - including Cervantes and Marco Polo - were influenced by Arabic poetry, music, and philosophy. A Sea of Languages brings together some of the most influential scholars working in Muslim-Christian-Jewish cultural communications today to discuss the convergence of the literary, social, and economic histories of the medieval Mediterranean.
This volume takes as a starting point Maria Rosa Menocal's groundbreaking work The Arabic Role in Medieval Literary History, a major catalyst in the reconsideration of prevailing assumptions regarding the insularity of medieval European literature. Reframing ongoing debates within literary studies in dynamic new ways, A Sea of Languages will become a critical resource and reference point for a new generation of scholars and students on the intersection of Arabic and European literature.
"A Sea of Languages is an important scholarly intervention, bringing together brilliant recent work in a fascinating field to model how future methodologies and areas of study might profitably be nurtured. Featuring contributions from prominent scholars who command respect within and across their fields, it is a magisterial and well-unified collection without peer in the field of Mediterranean Studies." -- Christine Chism, Department of English, University of California, Los Angeles "A serious advance in a burgeoning field, A Sea of Languages offers a wonderful array of approaches to address a major topic: the Arabic presence in medieval literary and cultural history. This excellent volume will be a touchstone in the field and a valuable collection for both scholars and students." -- Martin G. Eisner, Department of Romance Studies, Duke University
About the Author
Suzanne Conklin Akbari is a professor in the Department of English and the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto. Karla Mallette is an associate professor in the Departments of Italian and Near Eastern Studies at the University of Michigan.
Book Information
ISBN 9780802098689
Author Suzanne Conklin Akbari
Format Hardback
Page Count 328
Imprint University of Toronto Press
Publisher University of Toronto Press
Weight(grams) 630g
Dimensions(mm) 237mm * 159mm * 25mm
