-------- Original Message --------
Subject: CFP--MLA 2005--Washington D.C.
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2005 14:26:21 -0500
From: [log in to unmask]
Reply-To: PERFORM - Medieval Performing Arts
<[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Call for Papers
MLA 2005—Washington D.C
Session—Medival and Renaissance Drama Society
Please e-mail abstracts to [log in to unmask]
Session Title: Watching the Noonday Demon: Representing Depression and
Despair on the Early Stage:
Rationale: While medieval literature and drama often explore the
happiness and spiritual ecstasy that can be a part of both
psychological and spiritual life, they also make it clear that their
opposites of depression and despair were an equally important part of
the human condition. In part inspired by Andrew Solomon's
autobiographical, historical, and cultural survey, The Noonday Demon: an
Atlas of Depression, this session proposes to examine how these
emotional states were portrayed on the early modern stage. The session
will be open to abstracts from contributors writing on the early stage
(loosely defined as pre-1600) from diverse linguistic, cultural and
theatrical traditions. Some of the questions possible participants might
consider would include the following: what techniques were used to
represent depression and despair, including rhetorical devices,
iconography, and acting styles? How do medieval and early modern
theatrical representations and understandings of these states differ
from modern ones? In drama, what seem to be the causes of depression and
despair in terms of physical or spiritual events? What kinds of cures
and/or therapies seem to be available to treat them? What kinds of
doctrinal or ideological points do these representations seem to make?
How might a theatrical representation have been therapeutic (or perhaps
counterproductive) for medieval individuals or communities?
For further information, contact the organizer:
Victor I. Scherb
Department of Literature and Languages
The University of Texas at Tyler
3900 University Boulevard
Tyler, TX 75799
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Phone: (903) 566-7374 FAX: (903) 565-5700
--
Abigail Ann Young (Dr), Associate Editor/ Records of Early English Drama/
Victoria College/ 150 Charles Street W/ Toronto Ontario Canada
Phone (416) 585-4504/ FAX (416) 813-4093/ [log in to unmask]
List-owner of REED-L <http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~reed/reed-l.html>
http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~reed/reed.html => REED's home page
http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~reed/stage.html => our theatre resource page
http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~young => my home page
