The Wounded Body: Memory, Language and the Self from Petrarch to Shakespeare

The collection explores the image of the wound as a cultural symptom and literary-visual trope in Early Modern Italian and English cultures, focusing on the traumatic event and the scar as a reminder of time's passage. Contributors show how the wound could respond to the emergence of Modernity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 411 pages
Publication date: 12 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This edited collection delves into the multifaceted portrayal of the wound as a cultural symptom and a literary-visual trope at the heart of representations of a novel concept of selfhood in Early Modern Italian and English cultures. Spanning the complementary realms of poetry and theatre, it explores the profound significance of the wounded body in shaping cultural narratives. The semantic domain of the wounded body encompasses two interconnected aspects: the image of the wound as a traumatic event that leaves a lasting imprint on both the physical body and the soul, prompting an investigation into its causes and potential remedies. Additionally, the motif of the scar serves as a poignant reminder of the passage of time, urging those who gaze upon it to engage in introspective and analytical reflection. By meticulously studying and documenting the transmission of this metaphorical paradigm throughout the literary tradition, the contributors shed light on how the image of the bodily wound—from Petrarch's portrayal of the Self to the overt crises that impact the heroes and the poetic worlds crafted by Ariosto, Tasso, Spenser, and Shakespeare—responded to the emergence of Modernity as a distinct cultural phenomenon.

Introduction:
The wound has long held a central place in human experiences, symbolizing both physical and emotional trauma. In Early Modern Italian and English cultures, the image of the wound took on a particularly rich and complex significance, serving as a cultural symptom and a literary-visual trope that reflected the evolving concept of selfhood. This edited collection aims to explore the multifaceted portrayal of the wound in these cultures, examining its role in shaping cultural narratives and its impact on individuals and society.

The Cultural Significance of the Wound:
The wound has been deeply embedded in cultural traditions throughout history, serving as a powerful symbol of vulnerability, loss, and transformation. In Early Modern Italian and English cultures, the image of the wound was particularly relevant in the context of the emergence of a new concept of selfhood. The individuals who contributed to this collection argue that the wound became a cultural symptom because it represented the fragility and impermanence of the human body, which was increasingly subjected to the forces of modernity.

The wound also served as a metaphor for the psychological and emotional scars that individuals experienced as a result of social, political, and economic uphe. The rise of capitalism, for example, led to the exploitation of workers and the erosion of traditional social structures, leaving many individuals feeling disoriented, lost, and powerless. The wound became a way for individuals to express their frustration and anger towards the oppressive conditions of their lives, and it also provided a means for them to negotiate their identities in the face of change.

In addition to its cultural significance, the wound also had a profound impact on the literary-visual tradition of Early Modern Italian and English cultures. Poets and playwrights

The Literary-Visual Tradition of the Wound:
The literary-visual tradition of the wound in Early Modern Italian and English cultures is rich and diverse, encompassing a wide range of genres and styles. From Petrarch's portrayal of the Self in his poetry to the overt crises that affect the heroes and the poetic worlds created by Ariosto, Tasso, Spenser, and Shakespeare, the wound has been a recurring motif that has shaped the artistic expression of these cultures.

Petrarch, for example, was a key figure in the development of the concept of the wounded Self in Early Modern Italian literature. In his famous letter to Laura, Petrarch describes the wound as a "deep wound" that "cuts to the very core of our being," leaving a lasting imprint on both the physical body and the soul. Petrarch's portrayal of the Self as a wounded individual resonated with the experiences of many early modern Italians, who were grappling with the challenges of modernity and the loss of traditional values.

Ariosto, Tasso, Spenser, and Shakespeare, among others, were also deeply influenced by the image of the wound. Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, for instance, is a masterpiece of the Italian epic poem that explores the themes of love, war, and the search for self-identity in the context of the Renaissance. The character of Orlando, who is wounded in battle and suffers from amnesia, serves as a metaphor for the individual who is lost in the chaos of modernity and is in search of a sense of purpose and meaning.

Tasso's Gerusalemme liberata, on the other hand, is a dramatic work that explores the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the search for self-identity in the aftermath of the Crusades. The character of Tasso's hero, Guido da Montefeltro, is wounded in battle and suffers from a deep sense of guilt and shame, which drives him to seek redemption and forgiveness.

Spenser's The Faerie Queene, meanwhile, is a masterpiece of English epic poetry that explores the themes of love, loyalty, and the search for self-identity in the context of the Elizabethan era. The character of Redcrosse, who is wounded in battle and suffers from a deep sense of guilt and shame, serves as a metaphor for the individual who is torn between loyalty to his king and loyalty to his love for his beloved.

Shakespeare's Hamlet, perhaps the most famous play in the English language, is a tragic masterpiece that explores the themes of revenge, madness, and the search for self-identity in the context of the Elizabethan era. The character of Hamlet, who is wounded in battle and suffers from a deep sense of guilt and shame, serves as a metaphor for the individual who is caught between the demands of his family and the demands of his conscience.

In conclusion, this edited collection explores the multifaceted portrayal of the wound as a cultural symptom and a literary-visual trope at the heart of representations of a novel concept of selfhood in Early Modern Italian and English cultures. By examining the transmission of this metaphoric paradigm through the literary tradition, the contributors show how the image of the bodily wound—from Petrarch's representation of the Self to the overt crisis that affects the heroes and the poetic worlds created by Ariosto, Tasso, Spenser, and Shakespeare—could respond to the emergence of Modernity as a new cultural feature. The wound has long held a central place in human experiences, symbolizing both physical and emotional trauma. In Early Modern Italian and English cultures, the image of the wound took on a particularly rich and complex significance, serving as a cultural symptom and a literary-visual trope that reflected the evolving concept of selfhood. This edited collection aims to explore the multifaceted portrayal of the wound in these cultures, examining its role in shaping cultural narratives and its impact on individuals and society.

The Cultural Significance of the Wound:
The wound has been deeply embedded in cultural traditions throughout history, serving as a powerful symbol of vulnerability, loss, and transformation. In Early Modern Italian and English cultures, the image of the wound was particularly relevant in the context of the emergence of a new concept of selfhood. The individuals who contributed to this collection argue that the wound became a cultural symptom because it represented the fragility and impermanence of the human body, which was increasingly subjected to the forces of modernity.

The wound also served as a metaphor for the psychological and emotional scars that individuals experienced as a result of social, political, and economic changes. The rise of capitalism, for example, led to the exploitation of workers and the erosion of traditional social structures, leaving many individuals feeling disoriented, lost, and powerless. The wound became a way for individuals to express their frustration and anger towards the oppressive conditions of their lives, and it also provided a means for them to negotiate their identities in the face of change.

In addition to its cultural significance, the wound also had a profound impact on the literary-visual tradition of Early Modern Italian and English cultures. Poets and playwrights

The Literary-Visual Tradition of the Wound:
The literary-visual tradition of the wound in Early Modern Italian and English cultures is rich and diverse, encompassing a wide range of genres and styles. From Petrarch's portrayal of the Self in his poetry to the overt crises that affect the heroes and the poetic worlds created by Ariosto, Tasso, Spenser, and Shakespeare, the wound has been a recurring motif that has shaped the artistic expression of these cultures.

Petrarch, for example, was a key figure in the development of the concept of the wounded Self in Early Modern Italian literature. In his famous letter to Laura, Petrarch describes the wound as a "deep wound" that "cuts to the very core of our being," leaving a lasting imprint on both the physical body and the soul. Petrarch's portrayal of the Self as a wounded individual resonated with the experiences of many early modern Italians, who were grappling with the challenges of modernity and the loss of traditional values.

Ariosto, Tasso, Spenser, and Shakespeare, among others, were also deeply influenced by the image of the wound. Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, for instance, is a masterpiece of the Italian epic poem that explores the themes of love, war, and the search for self-identity in the context of the Renaissance. The character of Orlando, who is wounded in battle and suffers from amnesia, serves as a metaphor for the individual who is lost in the chaos of modernity and is in search of a sense of purpose and meaning.

Tasso's Gerusalemme liberata, on the other hand, is a dramatic work that explores the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the search for self-identity in the aftermath of the Crusades. The character of Tasso's hero, Guido da Montefeltro, is wounded in battle and suffers from a deep sense of guilt and shame, which drives him to seek redemption and forgiveness.

Spenser's The Faerie Queene, meanwhile, is a masterpiece of English epic poetry that explores the themes of love, loyalty, and the search for self-identity in the context of the Elizabethan era. The character of Redcrosse, who is wounded in battle and suffers from a deep sense of guilt and shame, serves as a metaphor for the individual who is torn between loyalty to his king and loyalty to his love for his beloved.

Shakespeare's Hamlet, perhaps the most famous play in the English language, is a tragic masterpiece that explores the themes of revenge, madness, and the search for self-identity in the context of the Elizabethan era. The character of Hamlet, who is wounded in battle and suffers from a deep sense of guilt and shame, serves as a metaphor for the individual who is caught between the demands of his family and the demands of his conscience.

In conclusion, this edited collection explores the multifaceted portrayal of the wound as a cultural symptom and a literary-visual trope at the heart of representations of a novel concept of selfhood in Early Modern Italian and English cultures. By examining the transmission of this metaphoric paradigm through the literary tradition, the contributors show how the image of the bodily wound—from Petrarch's representation of the Self to the overt crisis that affects the heroes and the poetic worlds created by Ariosto, Tasso, Spenser, and Shakespeare—could respond to the emergence of Modernity as a new cultural feature. The wound has long held a central place in human experiences, symbolizing both physical and emotional trauma. In Early Modern Italian and English cultures, the image of the wound took on a particularly rich and complex significance, serving as a cultural symptom and a literary-visual trope that reflected the evolving concept of selfhood. This edited collection aims to explore the multifaceted portrayal of the wound in these cultures, examining its role in shaping cultural narratives and its impact on individuals and society.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030919061
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022