An examination of how the body--its organs, limbs, and viscera--were represented in the literature and culture of early modern Europe. This provocative volume demonstrates, the symbolism of body parts challenge our assumptions about "the body" as a fundamental Renaissance image of self, society, and nation.

About the Author

Carla Mazzio and David Hillman are both Teaching Fellows in the Department of English at Harvard.

Reviews

"The book is helpfully organized... The essays are consistently innovative..." -- Medieval and RenaissanceDrama in England 1999
"...these essays are incredibly learned, filled with analyses of anatomical treatises, ancient medical encyclopedias and commentaries on scripture." -- The NewYork Times
"The Body in Parts is a must-read not only for those interested in the culture of early modern Europe, but for anyone interested in thinking about the modern and post-modern body as well. Its claims for the importance of the body and its discourses for understanding the literary, scientific, political and religious culture of early modern Europe are persuasive and its range--literally from head to toe--and learning admirable. A significant contribution to ongoing work on gender, sexuality and the body." -- Karen Newman, Brown University
"The Body in Parts expands the knowledge of this crucial period of history through the exploration of the social, symbolic, and scientific fragmentation of the body, This book will appeal to scholars interested in literature, history, art, and development of scientific knowledge in the early modern era." -- Sixteenth Century Journal

Book Information
ISBN 9780415916943
Author David Hillman
Format Paperback
Page Count 376
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g