Literature and Society in Renaissance Crete

by David Holton (Editor)

Overview

This book presents a comprehensive study of the literature of the Cretan Renaissance and relates it to its historical, social and cultural context. Crete, ruled by Venice from 1211 to 1669, responded to the stimulus of contact with the Renaissance in a body of narrative, personal and dramatic poetry, written in the Cretan dialect, and now regarded as an important influence on Modern Greek literature. The historical background is related to an examination of the structure of Veneto-Cretan society, while the central chapters concentrate on the literary texts including tragedy, comedy, pastoral and religious drama.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521028516
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/02/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.79(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Map: Crete and the Eastern Mediterranean; 1. The Cretan Renaissance David Holton; 2. The historical and social context Chryssa Maltezou; 3. Literary antecedents Arnold Van Gemert; 4. The pastoral mode Rosemary Bancroft-Marcus; 5. Comedy Alfred Vincent; 6. Tragedy Walter Puchner; 7. Interludes Rosemary Bancroft-Marcus; 8. Religious drama Wim Bakker; 9. Romance David Holton; 10. Literature and popular tradition Margaret Alexiou; Bibliographical guide; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"As a historian, I found the book not only up to high scholarly standards, but quite interesting. ...I enjoyed it, profited from it, and recommend it." Renaissance Quarterly

"In conclusion this is a rich book, wide ranging, written in an accessible style, and of an extremely high academic standard. It is more about Cretan literature than about the society to which it is foregrounded, but it is likely to be of particular relevance not just to scholars of Greek literature, but also of Mediterranean literature generally. The editor of this volume deserves congratulations for having put together a work that is likely to be a major reference point in the study of Cretan literature, and to help find a more comfortable space for it within the study of Greek literature." Paul Sant Cassia, Journal of Mediterranean Studies

"...pioneering work in the field....this work deepens and enriches our understanding of the Renaissance as a European phenomenon, and readers of other Renaissance literatures will undoubtedly find fertile comparisons to make....Holton's volume revolutionizes the teaching of the subject and provides the solid foundation for further studies of Renaissance Crete as a society of high literary achievement." David Ricks, Times Literary Supplement

From the Publisher