Ritual in Early Modern Europe
by Edward Muir
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Description
The comprehensive 2005 study of rituals in early modern Europe argues that between about 1400 and 1700 a revolution in ritual theory took place that utterly transformed concepts about time, the body, and the presence of spiritual forces in the world. Edward Muir draws on extensive historical research to emphasize the persistence of traditional Christian ritual practices even as educated elites attempted to privilege reason over passion, textual interpretation over ritual action, and moral show more rectitude over gaining access to supernatural powers. Edward Muir discusses wide ranging themes such as rites of passage, carnivalesque festivity, the rise of manners, Protestant and Catholic Reformations, the alleged anti-Christian rituals of Jews and witches. This edition examines the impact on the European understanding of ritual from the discoveries of new civilizations in the Americas and missionary efforts in China and adds more material about rituals peculiar to women. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This is one of the most interesting books I've ever read. The history presented is good, but what really takes the cake are Muir's ideas on ritual, and how well his assertions fit into both history and modern life. In fact, I often applied this book to literary studies and criticism ... it earned me several high grades and a few awards.
A superb study of the role of and importance of ritual in Early Modern Europe. Muir's is a probing analysis of varieties of ritual and their numerous uses.
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8 Works 314 Members
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Ritual in Early Modern Europe
- Important places
- Europe
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, History, Religion & Spirituality, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 291.38094 — Religion Other religions [Formerly: General Religious Topics] [formerly: Public worship and other practices. Relocated to 203] Formerly: Ritual. Relocated to 203.8]
- LCC
- BL600 .M85 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Religions. Mythology. Rationalism Religions. Mythology. Rationalism Worship. Cultus
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 105
- Popularity
- 307,736
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (4.44)
- Languages
- English, Italian, Spanish
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 6
- ASINs
- 1
