Early Modern Metaphysical Literature illuminates now-obscured aspects of cultural negotiation and denaturalization germane to numerous Metaphysical texts. Examining poetry and prose by Donne, Marvell, Lanyer, Crashaw, and Edward Herbert, this book challenges readers to recognize the provocative strangeness of these writings in their original contexts and today.

List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction: Sublunary Things Strangeness and Desire Edward Herbert: Handsome, Chivalrous, and Strange Green Desires: Andrew Marvell and the Pursuit of Pleasure Rich Chains of Love: Desire and Community in Aemilia Lanyer's S alve Deus Rex Judoeorum The Science of Possession: Conscience and Hagiology in Early Stuart England Saints and Sinners for the Millennium Index

MICHAEL MORGAN HOLMES has published widely on early modern literature, culture, and sexuality, as well as a study of Italo-Canadian poet Mary di Michele. Holmes has taught at McGill, the Université de Montréal, Wilfred Laurier University, and Brock University.