Description
Book SynopsisIn Inscribed Power, Ryan D. Giles explores the function of amuletic prayers, divine names, and incantation formulas that were inscribed and printed on parchment, paper and other media, and at the same time inserted into classic literary works in Spain. Giles’ insightful analysis of the intersection between amulets and literary texts offers fresh and original interpretations of well-known texts such as the Poema de mío Cid, the Libro de Alexandre, the Libro de buen amor, Celestina, Lazarillo de Tormes, and the Buscón. Inscribed Power is a fascinating work that highlights specific amuletic texts that were used to heal, protect, or otherwise provide a blessing or curse to discover how their powers could influence fictional lives at different moments in the development of Spanish literature.
Trade Review"[Inscribed Power] is, in fine, a work of vast scope and of dense but well-informed and authoritative presentations of the several ramifications of its titular theme. It contributes significantly new readings of the medieval and early modern Spanish works discussed and breaks fresh scholarly ground in doing so." -- Joseph T. Snow, Michigan State University * BSS, xcv 2018 *
"Inscribed Power [is] a valuable contribution both to the study of Spanish literature and to our knowledge of magic in the Iberian Peninsula." -- Don C. Skemer, Princeton University * Speculum, vol 94 1, Jan 2019 *
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction Literary Amulets Chapter One Amuletic Manuscripts Chapter Two Naming God Chapter Three Amuletic Voices Chapter Four The Bawd's Amulet Chapter Five Outlaw Prayers Postscript Amuletic Afterlives Works Cited
