Magical Epistemologies: Forms of Knowledge in Early Modern English Drama

This book explores how we read magic and figures of magicians in early modern texts, challenging the notion of magic as metaphor and exploring its rich context of use in various aspects of social, cultural, religious, economic, legal, and medical lives. It draws connections between Doctor Faustus, The Tempest, The Alchemist, and Comus: A Masque at Ludlow Castle and examines the epistemologies of magic in the context of early modern knowledge formation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 22 July 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating exploration into the realm of early modern magic and figures of magicians delves into the intricate ways in which readers, like ourselves, interpret and comprehend these enigmatic elements within texts, both dramatic and otherwise. As we navigate the twenty-first century, we are presented with a diverse array of genres and vocabulary, ranging from magical realism to fantasy fiction, yet these frameworks fail to adequately interpret historical figures such as John Dee or the fictional characters inspired by him in Shakespeare's Prospero. Within this rich tapestry of inquiry, figures like Dee beckon us to re-examine our traditional approaches to reading magic, challenging us to explore alternative interpretations beyond mere metaphor.

As we delve into the term "magic," it unveils a complex tapestry of usage that intertwines various aspects of early modern society, culture, religion, economics, law, and medicine. Magic manifests itself not only as a form of knowledge but also as a methodology of knowing during the Renaissance. The arc of dramatists and texts that this book weaves between Doctor Faustus, The Tempest, The Alchemist, and Comus: A Masque at Ludlow Castle provides a profound examination of the epistemologies of magic within the context of early modern knowledge formation.

Co-published with Aakar Books, New Delhi, this book offers a thought-provoking exploration into the enigmatic world of early modern magic, shedding light on the ways in which it shaped the intellectual and cultural landscape of the time. It is important to note that Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the print versions of this book in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 144 x 223 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032048017