Voices and Books in the English Renaissance

Voices and Books in the English Renaissance provides a new perspective on reading by focusing on the oral reader and the voice- or performance-aware silent reader, recovering the vocality of education for boys and girls and exploring the role of vocal tone in textual meaning. It offers fresh readings of key Tudor authors and rethinks what a printed book can be by searching the printed page for vocal cues.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Voices and Books in the English Renaissance presents a groundbreaking exploration of the historical context of reading during the English Renaissance. This innovative approach centers on the oral reader and the voice- or performance-aware silent reader, challenging the traditional notion of the historical reader, who is invariably male, silent, and alone. By reclaiming the vocality of education for boys and girls during this period, the book emphasizes the significance of training in pronuntiatio, or delivery, for the cultivation of oral-aural literary culture.

Furthermore, it makes a pioneering effort to recover the voice and tones of voice from textual sources, shedding light on the ways in which vocal tone contributes to the realization or transformation of textual meaning. The volume delves into the intriguing phenomenon of bringing voice to text, exploring how vocal tone enriches the interpretation and understanding of literary works. It also examines the strategies employed by past literary writers to represent their own and others' voices, as well as to manage and exploit the voices of their readers.

In this comprehensive volume, a range of key Tudor authors are reinterpreted through the lens of oral readers. Notable figures such as Anne Askew, William Baldwin, and Thomas Nashe are analyzed, highlighting their anticipation of the oral audience and their innovative approaches to literary composition. By examining the printed page for vocal cues and exploring the often overlooked role of the voice in the printing process, the book challenges the conventional understanding of what a printed book can be.

It emphasizes that Renaissance printed books are not merely static objects but are alive with potential voices. However, our ability to perceive these voices is hindered by our exclusive focus on the silent reader. By shifting our attention to the oral reader and the dynamic interplay between text and voice, Voices and Books in the English Renaissance offers a fresh perspective on the rich tapestry of literary and cultural practices during the English Renaissance.

Weight: 534g
Dimension: 233 x 157 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192882240