Plague in Print: Essential Elizabethan Sources, 1558-1603

Rebecca Totaro's The Plague in Print explores the development of distinct subgenres of plague writing in Elizabethan England, providing access to important original sources and highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the genre. The primary texts offer a glimpse into religious, medical, civic, social, and individual concerns, and the collection illustrates the multilayered nature of plague literature, combining attitudes from the Elizabethan and Stuart periods.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2020
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

In her captivating book, "The Plague in Print," Rebecca Totaro transports readers to the tumultuous world of plague-ridden Elizabethan England, offering a comprehensive exploration of the diverse subgenres of plague writing and providing unprecedented access to essential original sources of early modern plague literature. Totaro delves into the interdisciplinary nature of plague writing, which encompasses religious, medical, civic, social, and individual concerns in early modern England. The primary texts included in the collection provide a glimpse into various subgenres of plague writing, beginning with Thomas Moultons plague remedy and prayers, published by the Church of England and dedicated to addressing the issue of the plague. William Bulleins "A Dialogue," a work that blends pleasantness with piety, exemplifies the multifaceted nature of plague literature, addressing concerns related to the plague while providing humorous literary entertainment. The plague orders issued by Queen Elizabeth I highlight the collective efforts of the community to combat the plague and navigate its complex dilemmas. The collection concludes with Thomas Dekkers "The Wonderful Year," which portrays plague literature as it fully emerged, combining attitudes towards the plague from both the Elizabethan and Stuart periods.

These writings offer a vivid portrayal of significant themes unique to plague literature in England, providing valuable insights into the beliefs and fears of those afflicted by bubonic plague while shedding light on the cultural significance of references to the plague in the more familiar early modern literature of authors such as Spenser, Donne, Milton, Shakespeare, and others. Consequently, "The Plague in Print" holds immense interest for students and scholars across a range of disciplines, including sixteenth- and seventeenth-century studies.

Weight: 492g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271087283