Scepticism and belief in English witchcraft drama, 1538–1681

Scepticism and belief in English witchcraft drama, 1538–1681 (Lund University Press)

Winner of the 2019 Warburg Prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities for an outstanding work of literary history

This is a study of the representation of witches in early modern English drama, organised around the themes of scepticism and belief. It covers the entire early modern period, including the Restoration, and pays particular attention to three plays in which witchcraft is central: The Witch of Edmonton (1621), The Late Lancashire Witches (1634) and The Lancashire Witches (1681). Always a controversial issue, witchcraft has traditionally been seen in terms of a debate between â€˜scepticsâ€™ and â€˜believersâ€™. This book argues instead that, while the concepts of scepticism and belief are central to an understanding of early modern witchcraft, they are more fruitfully understood not as static and mutually exclusive positions within the witchcraft debate, but as rhetorical tools used by both sides.
Country USA
Brand Lund University Press in Association with Manchest
Manufacturer Lund University Press
Binding Hardcover
ItemPartNumber 9789198376869
UnitCount 1
EANs 9789198376869
ReleaseDate 2019-06-01

Country	USA
Brand	Lund University Press in Association with Manchest
Manufacturer	Lund University Press
Binding	Hardcover
ItemPartNumber	9789198376869
UnitCount	1
EANs	9789198376869
ReleaseDate	2019-06-01

Scepticism and belief in English witchcraft drama, 1538–1681 (Lund University Press)