The Monstrous Middle Ages [Paperback]

Bettina Bildhauer (Editor), Robert Mills (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0708318223 | ISBN-13: 978-0708318225 | Publication Date: January 1, 2004

The figure of the monster in medieval culture functions as a vehicle for a range of intellectual and spiritual inquiries, from questions of language and representation to issues of moral, theological and cultural value. Monsters embody cultural tensions that go far beyond the idea of the monster as simply an unintelligible and abject other. This text looks at both the representation of literal monsters and the consumption and exploitation of monstrous metaphors in a wide variety of high and late-medieval cultural productions, from travel writing and mystical texts, to sermons, manuscript illuminations and maps. Individual essays explore the ways in which monstrosity shaped the construction of gendered and racial identities, religious symbolism and social prejudice in the Middle Ages. Reading the Middle Ages through its monsters provides an opportunity to view medieval culture from fresh perspectives. It should be of interest in the concept of monstrosity and its significance for medieval cultural production.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"- 'Every essay makes you want to read the whole book' Readers Report '... the University of Wales Press should be congratulated for the quality of the book's production'. Modern Language Review

About the Author

Robert Mills is Lecturer in English at King's College, University of London. He has published widely on issues of gender and sexuality in medieval culture and has contributed to Gender and Holiness (Routledge, 2002), and Medieval Virginities (UWP, 2003). Bettina Bildhauer recently completed a Ph.D in German literature at Pembroke College, Cambridge. She is a contributor to Consuming Narratives (UWP, 2002).

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: University of Wales Press (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0708318223
• ISBN-13: 978-0708318225
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,709,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Studies of the monsters of medieval English literature, December 27, 2007

By 

Michael A. Torregrossa (Smithfield, RI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Monstrous Middle Ages (Paperback)

Designed for an academic audience, THE MONSTROUS MIDDLE AGES offers insight into how the people of the medieval England perceived the monstrous and monsters in literature, historical texts, and the visual arts.

Contents are as follows:

Introduction: Conceptualizing the Monstrous / Bettina Bildhauer and Robert Mills

Jesus as Monster / Robert Mills

Monstrous Masculinities in Julian of Norwich's A REVELATION OF LOVE and THE BOOK OF MARGERY KEMPE / Liz Herbert McAvoy

Blood, Jews, and Monsters in Medieval Culture / Bettina Bildhauer

The Other Close at Hand: Gerald of Wales and the "Marvels of the West" / Asa Simon Mittman

Idols and Simulacra: Paganity, Hybridity and Representation in MANDEVILLE'S TRAVELS / Sarah Salih

Demonizing the Night in Medieval Europe: A Temporal Monstrosity? / Deborah Youngs and Simon Harris

Apocalyptic Monsters: Animal Inspirations for the Iconography of Medieval North European Devourers / Aleks Pluskowski

Hell on Earth: Encountering Devils in the Medieval Landscape / Jeremy Harte

Encountering the Monstrous: Saints and Dragons in Medieval Thought / Samantha J.E. Riches

Further Reading / Bettina Bildhauer and Robert Mills