Myths of Renaissance Individualism

The idea that the Renaissance witnessed the emergence of the modern individual remains a powerful myth. In this important new book Martin examines the Renaissance self with attention to both social history and literary theory and offers a new typology of Renaissance selfhood which was at once collective, performative and porous. At the same time, he stresses the layered qualities of the Renaissance self and the salient role of interiority and notions of inwardness in the shaping of identity. Myths of Renaissance Individualism, in short, will interest students not only of history but also of art history, literature, music, philosophy, psychology and religion.

John Jeffries Martin is Professor of History at Trinity University.