For the Renaissance Society of America Conference in San Francisco (March 23-25, 2006).

This panel seeks to re-examine literary representations of revenge in early
modern culture. Papers are welcomed from across genres, countries, languages,
and disciplinary/theoretical approaches.

Much scholarly attention has been given to the mimetic function of revenge and
the authorizing narratives used to justify (or proscribe) vengeance.
Reevaluation of these issues is certainly welcomed. However, this panel seeks
to open the field of inquiry even further.

Topics for consideration may include, for example, the following:

-- the aesthetics of vengeance (that is, the sheer artistry and creativity
coincidence with retribution);
-- the economies of revenge (or retribution as a type of industry);
-- mercy, forgiveness, and the rejection of revenge; the possibility of mercy,
or the absence of retaliation, as unethical;
-- revenge and its relation to the early modern soul;
-- feuding and the genealogies of revenge;
-- retaliation across cultural and/or gender categories;
-- retaliation via the printed word;
-- revenge and the comedic;
-- modes of non-violent, or even passive, retribution (revenge via the absence
of action);
-- corporate (as opposed to individual) quests for reprisal.

These, of course, are simply possibilities for critical inquiry. Papers
examining any aspect of the revenge in early modern literature are welcomed.

Please send abstracts (max. 200 words) to Chris Crosbie
(chris.crosbie_at_rutgers.edu) by May 19, 2005. By mail: 510 George Street,
English Department, Murray Hall, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
08901-1167.

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Received on Sun May 08 2005 - 09:16:27 EDT