Introduction: Love sometimes would contemplate, sometimes do -- My verse, the strict map of my misery: Of metaphors and mindscapes -- The composing of A jeat ring sent; or Donne as thinker and imaginator -- A lecture, love, in loves philosophy: Donne's illuminating anatomizations -- John Donne, Anne Donne, vn-done? a biocultural reassessment of their scandalous marriage -- Firme substantial love: Donne's penetrating observations -- The very ecstasy of love: prescriptions for bliss in Irvine Welsh and John Donne -- Sighs and tears: biological costly signals and Donne's "whining poëtry" -- "Verse that drawes natures workes, from natures law"; or, Prolegomenon to a Darwinian defence of literature -- Conclusion: Why cognitive science matters now.
Summary:
"Investigations into how the brain actually works have led to remarkable discoveries of late, and these findings carry profound implications for interpreting literature. John Donne's probing insights, expressed in his unique Metaphysical style, make his amorous verse a ripe subject for cognitive analysis. This study applies recent breakthroughs from neuroscience and evolutionary psychology in order to deepen our understanding of Songs and Sonnets. By applying findings from neurolinguistics to Donne's work, Michael Winkleman presents a test case for the cognitive interpretation of verse and, more broadly, advances the case of New Humanism."--Publisher's website.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.