Literature and Society in Renaissance Crete

This 1991 book presents a comprehensive study of the literature of the time of the Cretan Renaissance.

David Holton (Edited by)

9780521028516, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 November 2006

352 pages, 1 map
22.8 x 15.2 x 2 cm, 0.54 kg

"...pioneering work in the field....this work deepens and enriches our understanding of the Renaissance as a European phenomenon, and readers of other Renaissance literatures will undoubtedly find fertile comparisons to make....Holton's volume revolutionizes the teaching of the subject and provides the solid foundation for further studies of Renaissance Crete as a society of high literary achievement." David Ricks, Times Literary Supplement

This 1991 book presents a comprehensive study of the literature of the Cretan Renaissance and relates it to the historical, social and cultural context. Crete, ruled by Venice from 1211 to 1669, responded to the stimulus of the Renaissance in a body of narrative, written in the Cretan dialect, and now regarded as an important influence on Modern Greek literature. These Cretan literary works are part of a more general phenomenon of cultural fusion which occurred in Crete and can be observed in art and architecture, as well as in learning. The historical background is related to an examination of the structure of Veneto-Cretan society, while the central chapters concentrate on the small but distinguished group of literary texts which have survived, among which drama is especially important, with examples of tragedy, comedy, pastoral and religious drama. Finally, there is a pioneering study of the interrelations between popular poetry and literature.

Preface
Map: Crete and the Eastern Mediterranean
1. The Cretan Renaissance David Holton
2. The historical and social context Chryssa Maltezou
3. Literary antecedents Arnold Van Gemert
4. The pastoral mode Rosemary Bancroft-Marcus
5. Comedy Alfred Vincent
6. Tragedy Walter Puchner
7. Interludes Rosemary Bancroft-Marcus
8. Religious drama Wim Bakker
9. Romance David Holton
10. Literature and popular tradition Margaret Alexiou
Bibliographical guide
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]