Household Servants in Early Modern Domestic Tragedy

Household Servants in Early Modern Domestic Tragedy explores the complex and varied experience of household service in early modern culture, challenging overarching narratives and arguing against reductive accounts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Household Servants in Early Modern Domestic Tragedy is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of early modern culture and theater, particularly in its exploration of the institution of service within the homes of the middling sorts. By focusing on this marginalized group, the book expands our understanding of employer-servant relationships beyond the elite and aristocratic circles that have previously been the focus of studies. The book draws on a wide range of sources, including early modern advice literature, household guides, domestic manuals, sermons, treatises, proverbs, mothers' legacies, funeral sermons, diaries, letters, and jest books, as well as the recent findings of social and cultural historians of early modern England. Through a comprehensive analysis of these sources, the book examines the consequences of disordered domesticity for the master-servant relationship, challenging the prevailing narratives constructed by both early modern moralists and modern scholarship.

One of the key insights of the book is that the experience of household service as depicted in domestic tragedy was complex and varied, rather than being a uniform and standardized experience. The book argues against the notion that there was a typical experience of service, highlighting the diversity of roles and responsibilities that servants held within the household. Servants could be young and inexperienced, or old and experienced, and their roles could range from domestic chores and childcare to managing the household finances and serving as confidants and advisers to their masters.

Another important aspect of the book is its nuanced understanding of the master-servant relationship. The book challenges the notion that servants were always subordinate to their masters and argues that there were instances of mutual respect and cooperation between the two parties. Servants could have significant influence over their working conditions and wages, and they could form close bonds with their masters and their families. However, the book also acknowledges the power dynamics that existed within the household, with masters often exerting control and dominance over their servants.

The book also explores the broader social and cultural implications of disordered domesticity for the master-servant relationship. The book argues that the experience of domestic service as depicted in domestic tragedy was not just a matter of individual relationships but was also deeply embedded in the broader social and cultural structures of early modern society. Servants were often marginalized and exploited, with their labor being undervalued and their rights often neglected. The book highlights the need for greater recognition and understanding of the contributions of household servants to the development of early modern culture and society.

In conclusion, Household Servants in Early Modern Domestic Tragedy is a groundbreaking and essential contribution to the field of early modern culture and theater. By focusing on the experiences of household servants and challenging the prevailing narratives, the book provides a nuanced and complex understanding of the institution of service in early modern culture. The book's insights into the complex and varied experience of household service, the nuanced master-servant relationship, and the broader social and cultural implications of disordered domesticity are valuable for scholars and students of early modern history, literature, and theater.

Weight: 388g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367503772