Rethinking the Mind-Body Relationship in Early Modern Literature, Philosophy, and Medicine

This book considers the works of early modern physicians, thinkers, and writers who explored the phenomenon of the independent and intelligent body, shedding new light on historical and literary issues relating to the treatment, perception, and representation of the human body. It examines the notion of the thinking body across a range of genres, topics, and authors, including Montaigne’s Essays, Spenser’s allegorical poetry, Donne’s metaphysical poetry, Shakespeare, and Milton. Visiting the consequences of this way of thinking about the body for contemporary philosophy, theology, and medicine, this book is essential for those studying early modern literature, cognition, and the body.