{"product_id":"literature-as-recreation-in-the-later-middle-ages-9781501746741","title":"Literature as Recreation in the Later Middle Ages","description":"\u003cp\u003e • Author(s): Glending Olson\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher: Cornell University Press\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher Imprint: Cornell University Press\u003cbr\u003e • BISAC: Medieval\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis book studies attitudes toward secular literature during the later Middle Ages.\u003c\/b\u003e Exploring two related medieval justifications of literary pleasure--one finding hygienic or therapeutic value in entertainment, and another stressing the psychological and ethical rewards of taking time out from work in order to refresh oneself--Glending Olson reveals that, contrary to much recent opinion, many medieval writers and thinkers accepted delight and enjoyment as valid goals of literature without always demanding moral profit as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrawing on a vast amount of primary material, including contemporary medical manuscripts and printed texts, Olson discusses theatrics, humanist literary criticism, prologues to romances and fabliaux, and Chaucer's \u003ci\u003eCanterbury Tales\u003c\/i\u003e. He offers an extended examination of the framing story of Boccaccio's \u003ci\u003eDecameron\u003c\/i\u003e. Although intended principally as a contribution to the history of medieval literary theory and criticism, \u003ci\u003eLiterature as Recreation in the Later Middle Ages\u003c\/i\u003e makes use of medical, psychological, and sociological insights that lead to a fuller understanding of late medieval secular culture.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Atlantic Books","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46457252872343,"sku":"9781501746741","price":2361.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0666\/3471\/1191\/files\/9781501746741.webp?v=1769181009","url":"https:\/\/atlanticbooks.com\/products\/literature-as-recreation-in-the-later-middle-ages-9781501746741","provider":"Atlantic Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}