Gluttony and Gratitude: Milton’s Philosophy of Eating (Medieval & Renaissance Literary Studies)

Despite the persistence and popularity of addressing the theme of eating in __Paradise Lost__, the tradition of Adam and Eve’s sin as one of gluttony—and the evidence for Milton’s adaptation of this tradition—has been either unnoticed or suppressed. Emily Stelzer provides the first book-length work on the philosophical significance of gluttony in this poem, arguing that a complex understanding of gluttony and of ideal, grateful, and gracious eating informs the content of Milton’s writing. Working with contextual material in the fields of physiology, philosophy, theology, and literature and building on recent scholarship on Milton’s experience of and knowledge about matter and the body, Stelzer draws connections between Milton’s work and both underexamined textual influences (including, for example, Gower’s __Confessio Amantis__) and well-recognized ones (such as Augustine’s __City of God__ and Galen’s __On the Natural Faculties__).

Despite the persistence and popularity of addressing the theme of eating in Paradise Lost, the tradition of Adam and Eve’s sin as one of gluttony—and the evidence for Milton’s adaptation of this tradition—has been either unnoticed or suppressed. Emily Stelzer provides the first book-length work on the philosophical significance of gluttony in this poem, arguing that a complex understanding of gluttony and of ideal, grateful, and gracious eating informs the content of Milton’s writing. Working with contextual material in the fields of physiology, philosophy, theology, and literature and building on recent scholarship on Milton’s experience of and knowledge about matter and the body, Stelzer draws connections between Milton’s work and both underexamined textual influences (including, for example, Gower’s Confessio Amantis ) and well-recognized ones (such as Augustine’s City of God and Galen’s On the Natural Faculties ).

Patristic, medieval, and early modern views of gluttony -- An anatomy of gluttony in Paradise lost -- Scatology and devilish glut in Paradise lost -- Perfect consumption, the food of the gods, and the great chain of eating -- The food of love, the paradise within, Augustinian triads, and the body resurrected -- The temperate poet and "this flying steed unrein'd "Explores the philosophical significance of gluttony in Paradise Lost, arguing that a complex understanding of gluttony and of ideal, grateful, and gracious eating informs the content of Milton's writing"-- Provided by publisher