Blotted Lines: Early Modern English Literature and the Poetics of Discomposition

Blotted Lines challenges the myth that William Shakespeare never blotted out a line and argues that by studying how early modern writers faced the challenges of writing poetry, instructors can empower their students approaches to critical writing. Adhaar Noor Desai's book offers deeply researched accounts of how poetic labor intersected with early modern rhetorical theory, material culture, and social networks, identifying instances of discomposition in the work of such writers as George Gascoigne, Philip Sidney, John Davies of Hereford, Lady Anne Southwell, and Shakespeare. It inspires poets to unmake their poems and remake them, catalyzing ongoing thinking and learning.

Format: Hardback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Blotted Lines is a groundbreaking book that challenges centuries of mythologization about the creative process, specifically the notion that William Shakespeare never blotted out a line. Instead, the book argues that by studying how early modern writers faced the challenges of writing poetry, instructors today can empower their students with approaches to critical writing.

Adhaar Noor Desai, the author of Blotted Lines, provides deeply researched accounts of how poetic labor intersected with early modern rhetorical theory, material culture, and social networks. Through meticulous analysis of the manuscripts of writers such as George Gascoigne, Philip Sidney, John Davies of Hereford, Lady Anne Southwell, and Shakespeare, Desai identifies instances of discomposition in their work, including frustration, hesitation, self-doubt, and insecurity.

What sets Blotted Lines apart is its innovative approach to literary scholarship. By bringing literary scholarship into conversation with modern composition studies, the book challenges early modern literary studies to treat writing as both a noun and a verb, emphasizing the ways in which poetry and criticism can model for students the cultivation of patience, collaboration, and risk in their writing.

In conclusion, Blotted Lines is a must-read for anyone interested in the creative process, literary history, and the teaching of writing. By challenging prevailing myths and highlighting the productive struggles of early modern writers, the book offers valuable insights into the ways in which instructors can empower their students to approach critical writing with confidence and creativity.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501769832