Before the Closet - Same-Sex Love from "Beowulf" to "Angels in America" (Paperback, 2nd Ed.)

This study challenges the long-held belief that the early Middle Ages tolerated and even fostered same-sex relations and that intolerance of homosexuality developed only late in the medieval period. Th e text argues that early medieval Christians did not tolerate same-sex acts and, furthermore, that men and women during this time who preferred homosexual relations pursued their desires in spite of official sanctions. This was an age before people recognized the existence - or the possibility - of the "closet". This work focuses on Anglo-Saxon literature but also includes examinations of contemporary opera, dance and theatre. The text employs the figure of the shadow to illustrate the coexistence of homosexual and heterosexual relations in the Middle Ages. The figure is introduced through an analysis of a man's part sung by a woman in operas such as Gounod's "Faust". The reverse figure - men taking women's parts - is traced in two dances by Mark Morris, "The Hard Nut" and "Dido and Aeneas". Also analyzed is the white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in Tony Kushner's play, "Angels in America" and the poems, "Beowulf" and "The Wanderer".

General

Imprint:	University of Chicago Press
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	May 2000
First published:	May 2000
Authors:	Allen J. Frantzen
Dimensions:	228 x 153 x 2mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	380
Edition:	2nd Ed.
ISBN-13:	978-0-226-26092-1
Categories:	Books > Language & Literature > Literature: history & criticism > Literary studies > Classical, early & medieval Books > Language & Literature > Literature: history & criticism > Literary studies > From 1900 Books > Humanities > History > World history > 500 to 1500 Books > Humanities > History > British & Irish history > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Gay & Lesbian studies > Lesbian studies Books > History > British & Irish history > General Books > History > World history > 500 to 1500
LSN:	0-226-26092-5
Barcode:	9780226260921

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