A Sudden Frenzy: Improvisation, Orality, and Power in Renaissance Italy

A Sudden Frenzy explores the development and impact of Renaissance practices of improvisation and oral poetry, revealing how they transcended cultural dichotomies and influenced poetry, music, and politics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 16 June 2022
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

In Renaissance Italy, a fascinating interplay unfolded between two distinct cultural practices: the humanistic study of ancient history and literature, and the oral and improvisational performance of poetry. Often perceived as separate and mutually antagonistic, these two realms coexisted and formed one of the most beloved forms of entertainment during that era. James K. Coleman delves into the origins and consequences of these Renaissance practices in his book, A Sudden Frenzy. Through meticulous research, Coleman demonstrates how the fusion of humanist culture and the art of oral poetry led to a remarkable shift towards improvisation and spontaneity, which had a profound impact on poetry, music, and politics. By exploring the culture of improvisation, this book unveils the ways in which Renaissance thinkers transcended cultural dichotomies, both in theory and practice. Drawing upon a diverse array of sources, including letters, poetry, visual art, and philosophical texts, A Sudden Frenzy reveals the far-reaching and sometimes unexpected ways that these phenomena shaped cultural developments in the Italian Renaissance and beyond.

In Renaissance Italy, a vibrant interplay existed between two distinct cultural practices: the humanistic study of ancient history and literature, and the oral and improvisational performance of poetry. Often perceived as separate and mutually antagonistic, these two realms coexisted and formed one of the most cherished forms of entertainment during that era. James K. Coleman explores the origins and consequences of these Renaissance practices in his book, A Sudden Frenzy. Through meticulous research, Coleman demonstrates how the fusion of humanist culture and the art of oral poetry led to a remarkable shift towards improvisation and spontaneity, which had a profound impact on poetry, music, and politics. By examining the culture of improvisation, this book unveils the ways in which Renaissance thinkers transcended cultural dichotomies, both in theory and practice. Drawing upon a diverse array of sources, including letters, poetry, visual art, and philosophical texts, A Sudden Frenzy reveals the far-reaching and sometimes unexpected ways that these phenomena shaped cultural developments in the Italian Renaissance and beyond.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 235 x 133 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487563448