These eleven papers on Edmund Spenser’s poetry, life and thought, and on recent approaches to his work illustrate the developing trend away from theoretical criticism toward historical
criticism. The criticism in this collection advocates a renewed attention to the seriousness of Spenser’s religious and moral commitments; increased attention to the technique of his rhymes as
an important clue to meaning; recuperation of the medieval aspects of structure and organization; and the presence in The Faerie Queene of themes to be uncovered by anthropological and cultural
research. Lethbridge (English, Tubingen U.) introduces the essays with an overview of the present state of Spenser criticism. Distributed by Associated University Presses. Annotation ©2007 Book
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