Revival of Antique Philosophy in the Renaissance

This book examines the revival of antique philosophy in the Renaissance as a literary preoccupation informed by wit. Humanists were more inspired by the fictionalized characters of certain wise fools, including Diogenes the Cynic, Socrates, Aesop, Democritus, and Heraclitus, than by codified systems of thought. Rich in detail, this study offers a systematic treatment of wide-ranging Renaissance imagery and metaphors and presents a detailed iconography of certain classical philosophers. Ultimately, the problems of Renaissance humanism are revealed to reflect the concerns of humanists in the twenty-first century.

List of contents

Introduction: Containers A Progress of Wise Fools Laughing and Weeping Melancholy: Democritus and Heraclitus as Emblems Divine Madness, Literary Fancy, and Dreams The Mind is its Own Place

About the author

John L. Lepage is University-College Professor in the Department of English at Vancouver Island University.

Summary

This book examines the revival of antique philosophy in the Renaissance as a literary preoccupation informed by wit. Humanists were more inspired by the fictionalized characters of certain wise fools, including Diogenes the Cynic, Socrates, Aesop, Democritus, and Heraclitus, than by codified systems of thought. Rich in detail, this study offers a systematic treatment of wide-ranging Renaissance imagery and metaphors and presents a detailed iconography of certain classical philosophers. Ultimately, the problems of Renaissance humanism are revealed to reflect the concerns of humanists in the twenty-first century.

Product details

• Authors: J. Lepage, John L Lepage, John L. Lepage
• Publisher: Palgrave UK
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 08.11.2015
• EAN: 9781349448326
• ISBN: 978-1-349-44832-6
• No. of pages: 296
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies; B, Cultural Studies, Aesthetics, Cultural Theory, Philosophy: aesthetics, Literature: history & criticism, Literary studies: general, Literary theory, Culture—Study and teaching, European Literature, Early Modern/Renaissance Literature, Palgrave Literature Collection, Literature—Philosophy, Early Modern and Renaissance Literature, Literature, Modern, Democritus;Heraclitus;philosophy;Renaissance