In this volume you will find stories about hyperactive relics, ghosts in spiritual or bodily form, as well as accounts of the dead being conjured, resurrected, and brought back to life from decomposing matter. This is not so much for the purpose of assembling a kind of Neapolitan Wunderkammer, but rather to allow these bodies – in physical or spiritual form, or sometimes both at the same time – to speak as protagonists, and to offer their own contribution to the historical anthropology of the Kingdom of Naples. This volume explores the boundaries between body and spirit, life and death, as well as the natural, preternatural, and supernatural in the long early modern era in southern Italy.
The untold story of how the volcanic landscape surrounding Naples influenced a crucial moment in twentieth-century intellectual history In the 1920s, the Gulf of Naples was a magnet for European intellectuals in search of places as yet untouched by modernity. Among the revolutionaries, artists, and thinkers drawn to Naples were numerous scholars at a formative stage in their journeys: Walter Benjamin, Siegfried Kracauer, Alfred Sohn‑Rethel, Asja Lacis, Theodor W. Adorno, and many others. While all were indelibly shaped by the volcanic Neapolitan landscape, it was Benjamin who first probed the relationship between the porous landscape and the local culture. But Adorno went further, transforming his surroundings into a radical new philosophy—one that became a turning point in the modern history of the discipline. In this ingenious book, Martin Mittelmeier reveals the Gulf of Naples as the true birthplace of the Frankfurt School. From the majestic crater rim of Mount Vesuvius to the soft volcanic rock that Neapolitans used to build their city, Mittelmeier follows Adorno’s and his fellow thinkers’ footsteps through the cities along the gulf, demonstrating how their observations and encounters surface again and again in their writings for decades to come, and serve as the structuring principle of Critical Theory.
Poetry and Identity in Quattrocento Naples approaches poems as acts of cultural identity and investigates how a group of authors used poetry to develop a poetic style, while also displaying their position toward the culture of others. Starting from an analysis of Giovanni Pontano’s Parthenopeus and De amore coniugali, followed by a discussion of Jacopo Sannazaro’s Arcadia, Matteo Soranzo links the genesis and themes of these texts to the social, political and intellectual vicissitudes of Naples under the domination of Kings Alfonso and Ferrante. Delving further into Pontano’s literary and astrological production, Soranzo illustrates the consolidation and eventual dispersion of this author’s legacy by looking at the symbolic value attached to his masterpiece Urania, and at the genesis of Sannazaro’s De partu Virginis. Poetic works written in neo-Latin and the vernacular during the Aragonese domination, in this way, are examined not only as literary texts, but also as the building blocks of their authors’ careers.
Shakespeare's plays, argues Lings, concern far more than the workings of the human psyche; they are sacred, visionary works that, through the use of esoteric symbol and form, mirror the passage the soul must make to reach its final sacred union with the divine.
In his acclaimed Madonnas That Maim, Michael Carroll began his systematic examination of popular Catholicism in Italy. Now, in Veiled Threats, Carroll delves more deeply into the distinctive character of Italian popular Catholicism. He explores in detail the complex relationship between popular and official Catholicism in Italy from the fifteenth century to the present, bringing to light a considerable body of recent Italian scholarship on the Catholic experience in Italy never before translated into English. Carroll places special emphasis on miraculous images and the cults that form around them, on public performances such as self-flagellation during Holy Week processions, on devotion to souls in Purgatory, on the success of preaching orders in adapting to local beliefs, on the role of relics and the incorrupt bodies of saints, and on differing responses to the Reformation in northern and southern Italy. Throughout Veiled Threats, Carroll discovers in the beliefs and practices of popular Catholicism and implicit logic and vital creativity that reflect local experiences and needs far removed from those of official Catholicism.
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Naples, Pompeii & the Amalfi Coast is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Meander past orange groves and swaying pines to reach steep seaside towns, go cave diving off the Capri coast, or contemplate the silent power of Mt. Vesuvius; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Naples, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet Naples, Pompeii & the Amalfi Coast Travel Guide: Full-colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - including history, the arts, cinema, way of life, architecture, superstitions, politics, cuisine, wine, and more Over 39 colour local maps Covers Naples, Procida, Capri, Positano, Mt Vesuvius, Pompeii, Ravello, The Islands, Salerno, the Cilento, Amalfi Coast, and more eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Naples, Pompeii & the Amalfi Coast, our most comprehensive guide to Naples, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out our Lonely Planet Italy guide for a comprehensive look at all the country has to offer, or Lonely Planet Discover Italy, a photo-rich guide to the country's most popular attractions. Authors: Written and researched by Lonely Planet. About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves. Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.
"Embark on a thrilling adventure through the scenic landscapes of Italy with M. F. Mansfield in 'Italian Highways and Byways from a Motor Car.' Penned in the early 20th century, this travel narrative offers readers a firsthand account of Mansfield's exhilarating journey, exploring the charming villages, historic sites, and picturesque countryside of Italy from the vantage point of a motor car. As Mansfield navigates the winding roads, encounters local cultures, and immerses in the beauty of Italy, 'Italian Highways and Byways' is more than a travelogue—it's a literary expedition that captures the excitement and freedom of early automobile travel. Join Mansfield on this literary journey where each turn of the page unveils a new chapter of discovery, making 'Italian Highways and Byways from a Motor Car' an essential read for those captivated by tales of travel and the evolution of transportation."
