The Unrepentant Renaissance : From Petrarch to Shakespeare to Milton

Who during the Renaissance could have dissented from the values of reason and restraint, patience and humility, rejection of the worldly and the physical? These widely articulated values were part of the inherited Christian tradition and were reinforced by key elements in the Renaissance, especially the revival of Stoicism and Platonism. This book is devoted to those who did dissent from them.Richard Strier reveals that many long-recognized major texts did question the most traditional values and uncovers a Renaissance far more bumptious and affirmative than much recent scholarship has allowed.__The Unrepentant Renaissance__ counters the prevalent view of the period as dominated by the regulation of bodies and passions, aiming to reclaim the Renaissance as an era happily churning with surprising, worldly, and self**-**assertive energies. Reviving the perspective of Jacob Burckhardt and Nietzsche, Strier provides fresh and uninhibited readings of texts by Petrarch, More, Shakespeare, Ignatius Loyola, Montaigne, Descartes, and Milton. Strier’s lively argument will stir debate throughout the field of Renaissance studies. "Who during the Renaissance could have dissented from the values of reason and restraint, patience and humility, rejection of the worldly and the physical? These widely articulated values were part of the inherited Christian tradition and were reinforced by key elements in the Renaissance, especially the revival of Stoicism and Platonism. This book is devoted to those who did dissent from them. Richard Strier reveals that many long-recognized major texts did question the most traditional values and uncovers a Renaissance far more bumptious and affirmative than much recent scholarship has allowed. The Unrepentant Renaissance counters the prevalent view of the period as dominated by the regulation of bodies and passions, aiming to reclaim the Renaissance as an era happily churning with surprising, worldly, and self-assertive energies. Reviving the perspective of Jacob Burckhardt and Nietzsche, Strier provides fresh and uninhibited readings of texts by Petrarch, More, Shakespeare, Ignatius Loyola, Montaigne, Descartes, and Milton. Strier's lively argument will stir debate throughout the field of Renaissance studies."--Publisher's website Who during the Renaissance could have dissented from the values of reason and restraint, patience and humility, rejection of the worldly and the physical? These widely articulated values were part of the inherited Christian tradition and were reinforced by key elements in the Renaissance, especially the revival of Stoicism and Platonism. This book is devoted to those who did dissent from them.Richard Strier reveals that many long-recognized major texts did question the most traditional values and uncovers a Renaissance far more bumptious and affirmative than much recent scholarship has allowed. The Unrepentant Renaissance counters the prevalent view of the period as dominated by the regulation of bodies and passions, aiming to reclaim the Renaissance as an era happily churning with surprising, worldly, and self - assertive energies. Reviving the perspective of Jacob Burckhardt and Nietzsche, Strier provides fresh and uninhibited readings of texts by Petrarch, More, Shakespeare, Ignatius Loyola, Montaigne, Descartes, and Milton. Strier’s lively argument will stir debate throughout the field of Renaissance studies. This Title Counters The Prevalent View Of The Renaissance Period As Dominated By The Regulation Of Bodies And Passions, Aiming To Reclaim The Period As An Era Happily Churning With Surprising Worldly, And Self-assertive Energies. Back To Burckhardt (plus The Reformations) -- In Defense Of Passion And The Body -- Against The Rule Of Reason: Praise Of Passion From Petrarch To Luther To Shakespeare To Herbert -- Against Judgment: Petrarch And Shakespeare At Sonnets -- Against Morality: From Richard Iii To Antony And Cleopatra -- Appendix 1: Shakespearean Seduction -- Appendix 2: Morality And The Happy Infant: The Case Of Macbeth -- In Defense Of Worldliness -- Sanctifying The Bourgeoisie: The Cultural Work Of The Comedy Of Errors -- Appendix: Sanctifying The Aristocracy: From Ignatius Loyola To François De Sales (and Then To Donne And Herbert) -- In Defense Of Pride -- Self-revelation And Self-satisfaction In Montaigne And Descartes -- Milton Against Humility -- Appendix: Lordly Command?. Richard Strier. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Who during the Renaissance could have dissented from the values of reason and restraint, patience and humility, rejection of the worldly and the physical? This title counters the prevalent view of the period as dominated by the regulation of bodies and passions, intending to reclaim the Renaissance as an era happily churning with energies.