Description
Book SynopsisIn Renaissance Italy there existed a rich interplay between two cultural practices frequently regarded as entirely separate and mutually antagonistic: the humanistic study of the ancient world and ancient literature, and the oral and improvisational performance of poetry, which constituted one of the most popular forms of entertainment.
A Sudden Frenzy explores the development and impact of these Renaissance practices of improvisation and oral poetry. James K. Coleman shows how the confluence of humanist culture and the art of oral poetry resulted in an extraordinary turn toward improvisation and spontaneity that profoundly influenced poetry, music, and politics. By examining the culture of improvisation, this book reveals the ways in which Renaissance thinkers transcended cultural dichotomies, both in theory and in practice. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including letters, poetry, visual art, and philosophical texts, A Sudden Frenzy reveals the far-reac
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Introduction 1. The Uses of Oral Poetry in Quattrocento Florence 2. “Inspired and Possessed”: Marsilio Ficino and Oral Poetry 3. “Secret Frenzies”: Angelo Poliziano and Invention 4. “The Power to Stir Up Others”: Lorenzo de’ Medici and Improvisation 5. The Improviser and the World of the Courts Conclusion Works Cited Notes
