Early Modern Metaphysical Literature: Nature, Custom and Strange Desires [Paperback]

Early Modern Metaphysical Literature illuminates now-obscured aspects of cultural negotiation and denaturalization germane to numerous Metaphysical texts. Examining poetry and prose by Donne, Marvell, Lanyer, Crashaw, and Edward Herbert, this book challenges readers to recognize the provocative strangeness of these writings in their original contexts and today.List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction: Sublunary Things Strangeness and Desire Edward Herbert: Handsome, Chivalrous, and Strange Green Desires: Andrew Marvell and the Pursuit of Pleasure Rich Chains of Love: Desire and Community in Aemilia Lanyer's S alve Deus Rex Judoeorum The Science of Possession: Conscience and Hagiology in Early Stuart England Saints and Sinners for the Millennium Index

'A witty, learned, and always intelligent book.' - Linda Woodbridge, The Pennsylvania State University

'The congenial, witty author who introduces himself on page 1 makes this book, from start to finish, a genuine pleasure to read. With good reason Michael Holmes claims spiritual kinship with Montaigne. Like Montaigne in dialogue with the ancients, Holmes in dialogue with the metaphysicals - Edward Herbert, John Donne, Andrew Marvell, Aemilia Lanyer, Richard Crashaw - charms his subjects into revealing new sides of themselves and their work, particularly with regard to desire, nature and custom. Deconstruction has never been so delightful.' - Bruce R.Smith, Professor of English, Georgetown University