Taste and Knowledge in Early Modern England

Elizabeth Swann explores the relationship between physical taste and taste as a figurative term associated with knowledge and judgment in early modern literature and culture. She argues that discriminative taste was entwined with embodied experience and functioned positively as a source of useful knowledge.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 279 pages
Publication date: 03 November 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Elizabeth Swann delves into the intricate relationship between the physical sense of taste and its figurative association with knowledge and judgment in the early modern literature and culture. She argues that, unlike the aesthetic taste of the eighteenth century, discriminative taste during this period was deeply intertwined with embodied experiences. While taste may have been tarnished by its connections to Adam and Eve's fall from Eden, it also held positive potential, serving as a valuable source of practical, and even redemptive, literary, spiritual, experimental, and intersubjective knowledge.

In her book, "Taste and Knowledge in Early Modern England," Swann juxtaposes canonical literary works by renowned authors like Shakespeare with a diverse array of medical, polemical, theological, philosophical, didactic, and dietetic sources. By doing so, the book unveils the central significance of taste in shaping and expressing pivotal developments in the literate, religious, and social cultures of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Swann explores how taste influenced the perception and interpretation of literature, religion, and society during this period. She examines how taste shaped the experiences of individuals and communities, influencing their beliefs, values, and behaviors. Taste was not just a matter of personal preference but also a tool for social distinction, cultural identity, and intellectual exploration.

Through her analysis, Swann demonstrates how taste played a crucial role in the development of early modern literature and culture. She shows how authors used taste to convey complex ideas, evoke emotions, and create meaningful connections with their readers. Taste was also used as a means of pedagogy, teaching readers about morality, ethics, and the natural world.

Furthermore, Swann explores how taste influenced the medical and dietary practices of the time. She shows how taste was used to diagnose and treat illnesses, as well as to recommend healthy diets and lifestyles. Taste was seen as a vital component of overall health and well-being, and medical practitioners relied on it to guide their treatments.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Swann's "Taste and Knowledge in Early Modern England" offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the relationship between taste and knowledge in the early modern period. Through her meticulous analysis, Swann demonstrates how taste played a vital role in shaping literature, religion, society, and medical practices of the time. The book sheds light on the complex and multifaceted nature of taste, highlighting its potential for both positive and negative consequences.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 151 x 227 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108720755