Ritual in Early Modern EuropeThis new and expanded edition of the first comprehensive study of rituals in early modern Europe examines the impact on the European interpretation of ritual from the discoveries of new civilizations in the Americas and missionary efforts in China. It also adds more material about rituals peculiar to women. Edward Muir draws on extensive historical research to emphasize the persistence of traditional Christian ritual practices, even as enlightened elites attempted to choose reason over passion, textual interpretation over ritual action, and moral rectitude over gaining access to supernatural powers of anti-Christian rituals. First Edition Hb (1997) 0-521-40169-0 First Edition Pb (1997) 0-521-40967-5 |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - TheBooknerd - LibraryThingThis 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 ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - AlexTheHunn - LibraryThingA 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. Read full review
Contents
Rites of passage | 21 |
The ritual calendar | 62 |
Rituals of the body | 89 |
Carnival and the lower body | 93 |
Manners and the upper body | 125 |
Ritual and representation | 155 |
The Reformation as a revolution in ritual theory | 163 |
The Reformation as a ritual process | 202 |
Government as a ritual process | 252 |
mere ritual | 294 |
Glossary | 303 |
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Common terms and phrases
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