Midwiving Subjects in Shakespeare’s England

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism
Cover of the book Midwiving Subjects in Shakespeare’s England by Caroline Bicks, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Caroline Bicks ISBN: 9781351917650
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: July 5, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Caroline Bicks
ISBN: 9781351917650
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: July 5, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

At the intersections of early modern literature and history, Shakespeare and Women's Studies, Midwiving Subjects explores how Shakespearean drama and contemporary medical, religious and popular texts figured the midwife as a central producer of the body's cultural markers. In addition to attending most Englishwomen's births and testifying to their in extremis confessions about paternity, the midwife allegedly controlled the size of one's tongue and genitals at birth and was obligated to perform virginity exams, impotence tests and emergency baptisms. The signs of purity and masculinity, paternity and salvation were inherently open to interpretation, yet early modern culture authorized midwives to generate and announce them. Midwiving Subjects, then, challenges recent studies that read the midwife as a woman whose power was limited to a marginal and unruly birthroom community and instead uncovers the midwife's foundational role, not only in the rituals of reproduction, but in the process of cultural production itself. As a result of recent changes in managed healthcare and of increased attention to uncovering histories of women's experiences, midwives - past and present - are currently a subject of great interest. This book will appeal to readers interested in Shakespeare as well as the history of women and medicine.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

At the intersections of early modern literature and history, Shakespeare and Women's Studies, Midwiving Subjects explores how Shakespearean drama and contemporary medical, religious and popular texts figured the midwife as a central producer of the body's cultural markers. In addition to attending most Englishwomen's births and testifying to their in extremis confessions about paternity, the midwife allegedly controlled the size of one's tongue and genitals at birth and was obligated to perform virginity exams, impotence tests and emergency baptisms. The signs of purity and masculinity, paternity and salvation were inherently open to interpretation, yet early modern culture authorized midwives to generate and announce them. Midwiving Subjects, then, challenges recent studies that read the midwife as a woman whose power was limited to a marginal and unruly birthroom community and instead uncovers the midwife's foundational role, not only in the rituals of reproduction, but in the process of cultural production itself. As a result of recent changes in managed healthcare and of increased attention to uncovering histories of women's experiences, midwives - past and present - are currently a subject of great interest. This book will appeal to readers interested in Shakespeare as well as the history of women and medicine.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Film and Ethics by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book The Novellino or One Hundred Ancient Tales by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book Revolutions in World History by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book Intellectuals and their Publics by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book Barrio Professors by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book Europeanization and Domestic Policy Change by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book Issues in Educating Students With Disabilities by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book Theorizing Revolutions by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book The Troublesome Voyage of Captain Edward Fenton, 1582-1583 by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book Design Realities by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book English Teachers - The Unofficial Guide by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book The Symbolic Representation of Gender by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book Beyond Blame by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book Revival: England Before the Norman Conquest (1910) by Caroline Bicks
Cover of the book Mobilities Design by Caroline Bicks
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy