A History of Private Life Vol 5 - Various authors

A History of Private Life, Volume 5: Passions of the Renaissance

A sweeping exploration of private life in the Renaissance, from the intimate to the political

In this magisterial fifth volume of A History of Private Life, leading scholars offer a comprehensive and richly detailed exploration of private life in the Renaissance. Spanning the period from the late Middle Ages to the early modern era, the book delves into the intimate lives of individuals and families, as well as the broader social, cultural, and political forces that shaped their experiences.

A tapestry of human experience

The book is organized into five thematic sections, each of which examines a different aspect of private life. The first section, "The Self and the Body," explores the changing conceptions of the self and the body during the Renaissance. The second section, "Love and Marriage," examines the complex and evolving nature of love and marriage, from the courtly love of the Middle Ages to the rise of companionate marriage in the early modern era. The third section, "Family and Household," explores the structure and dynamics of the Renaissance family, from the nuclear family to the extended household. The fourth section, "Work and Leisure," examines the changing nature of work and leisure, from the rise of the merchant class to the emergence of new forms of entertainment. The fifth section, "Religion and Belief," explores the diverse religious beliefs and practices of the Renaissance, from the rise of Protestantism to the persistence of traditional Catholic beliefs.

A must-read for anyone interested in the Renaissance

A History of Private Life, Volume 5 is a monumental work of scholarship that offers a comprehensive and richly detailed exploration of private life in the Renaissance. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Renaissance, as well as for anyone interested in the human experience more broadly.

Key Features

• A comprehensive and richly detailed exploration of private life in the Renaissance
• Written by leading scholars in the field
• Organized into five thematic sections, each of which examines a different aspect of private life
• A must-read for anyone interested in the Renaissance, as well as for anyone interested in the human experience more broadly

Table of Contents

Part I: The Self and the Body

• Chapter 1: The Body in Renaissance Thought
• Chapter 2: The Senses and Perception
• Chapter 3: Health and Illness
• Chapter 4: Clothing and Adornment

Part II: Love and Marriage

• Chapter 5: Courtly Love and Chivalry
• Chapter 6: Marriage and the Family
• Chapter 7: Sexuality and Reproduction
• Chapter 8: Prostitution and Concubinage

Part III: Family and Household

• Chapter 9: The Nuclear Family
• Chapter 10: The Extended Household
• Chapter 11: Childrearing and Education
• Chapter 12: Domestic Service

Part IV: Work and Leisure

• Chapter 13: The Rise of the Merchant Class
• Chapter 14: The Changing Nature of Work
• Chapter 15: Leisure and Recreation
• Chapter 16: Travel and Exploration

Part V: Religion and Belief

• Chapter 17: The Rise of Protestantism
• Chapter 18: The Persistence of Traditional Catholic Beliefs
• Chapter 19: Religious Toleration and Intolerance
• Chapter 20: The Witch-Craze

Index