Description
Book SynopsisThis recently discovered treatise on poetics from 1599, the end of the most revolutionary decade in English literary history, includes discussions of the works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Gavin Alexander's groundbreaking edition, with introduction and commentary, makes William Scott's powerful work newly available to students and scholars of English Renaissance literature.
Trade Review'Alexander's editorial skills are dazzling … All writers should be blessed with such editors.' Russ McDonald, The Times Literary Supplement
'… Alexander's edition of William Scott's Model of Poesy is exemplary … for anyone working in any way with the literature, and the literary scene, of the sixteenth century's last two or three decades, Scott's Model is indispensable, and it is our immense good fortune that its first modern edition has been prepared by someone with the technical expertise … the capacity for thorough research … and the stylistic elegance of Gavin Alexander.' Roger Kuin, The Spenser Review
'Scott's manuscript provides critics with fresh access to a comprehensive and well-arranged early modern exegesis on poetic theory and practice … Scott's treatise, and Alexander's edition, offers perhaps the most exciting literary discovery of recent years.' Hannah Leah Crummé, Renaissance Quarterly
'Gavin Alexander's splendid scholarly edition of William Scott's Model of Poesy (1599) contributes to early modern literary studies in ways that will have lasting effects … In ambition and comprehensiveness, Alexander's contribution as an editor matches that of Scott as a critic … So learned in the rhetorical and critical traditions known to the Elizabethans is Alexander's introduction that it stands as a major work of scholarship in its own right.' Donald Stump, Sydney Journal
'The recent discovery of the manuscript of William Scott's previously unknown Model of Poesy (c.1599), with its wealth of allusions to contemporary writers including Shakespeare, Spenser, Sidney, and Daniel, represents a major addition to the corpus of Elizabethan literary criticism. And Gavin Alexander's magisterial edition, exemplary in the range and depth of its scholarship, is in every way worthy of its subject.' Stanley Wells, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Table of ContentsPreface; Introduction: William Scott (c.1571–c.1617); The Model in context; Form and method; Textual introduction; The Model of Poesy; Commentary; Appendices: Appendix 1. The dedication to Scott's Du Bartas; Appendix 2. Scott's letter to Cecil; Appendix 3. Scott's will.
