Spenserian Satire: A Tradition of Indirection

Edmund Spenser's work in satire has been overlooked by scholars, but this book argues that his indirect form of satire was an important model for other poets in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. It connects key Spenserian texts with poems by Joseph Hall, Thomas Nashe, Tailboys Dymoke, Thomas Middleton, and George Wither to demonstrate his relevance to satire in Elizabethan England.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 224 pages
\n Publication date: 17 May 2019
\n Publisher: Manchester University Press
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Edmund Spenser's literary contributions have garnered significant attention from scholars, particularly in the realms of epic and pastoral poetry. However, his work in satire has received relatively less scholarly focus. This book aims to rectify this imbalance by examining Spenser's significant contributions to the genre of satire in early modern English literature. It argues that Spenser's indirect form of satire, which he developed during his lifetime, served as a valuable model for other poets seeking to convey satirical messages with a certain degree of safety.

The book explores the connections between key Spenserian texts, such as The Shepheardes Calender and the Complaints volume, and poems by a diverse group of authors in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. These authors include Joseph Hall, Thomas Nashe, Tailboys Dymoke, Thomas Middleton, and George Wither. By examining these intertextual relationships, the book demonstrates that Spenser was widely regarded as highly relevant to satire in Elizabethan England.

One of the key arguments put forth in the book is that Spenser's satire was characterized by a nuanced and complex approach. He employed a range of rhetorical devices, including irony, parody, and sarcasm, to critique social, political, and religious issues of his time. By employing these techniques, Spenser was able to satirize without directly offending his readers or compromising his own artistic integrity.

Another important aspect of Spenser's satire is its ability to blend humor and seriousness. While his poems often contain witty and humorous moments, they also address serious social and political concerns. This combination of humor and seriousness made Spenser's satire accessible and engaging to a wide audience, including both literate elites and common people.

Furthermore, Spenser's satire had a significant impact on the development of the genre of satire in English literature. His innovative approach to the form inspired other poets to explore satire in new and creative ways. His use of irony, parody, and sarcasm, for example, influenced the work of later satirists such as Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope.

In conclusion, this book argues that Spenser's contributions to satire in early modern English literature deserve to be recognized and celebrated. By examining his indirect form of satire and its impact on other poets, the book provides a fresh perspective on Spenser's literary legacy and demonstrates his importance to the development of the genre.

\n Weight: 286g\n
Dimension: 140 x 214 x 16 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781526139511\n \n