
Between Two Stools
Scatology and its Representations in English Literature, Chaucer to Swift
Peter J. Smith(Author)
Manchester University Press
Published on 1. June 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-0-7190-9761-4 (ISBN)
Description
Now available in paperback, Between two stools investigates the representation of scatology - humorous, carnivalesque, satirical, damning and otherwise - in English literature from the middle ages to the eighteenth century.
Smith contends that the 'two stools' stand for two broadly distinctive attitudes towards scatology. The first is a carnivalesque, merry, even hearty disposition, typified by the writings of Chaucer and Shakespeare. The second is self-disgust, an attitude characterised by withering misanthropy and hypochondria. Smith demonstrates how the combination of high and low cultures manifests the capacity to run canonical and carnivalesque together so that sanctioned and civilised artefacts and scatological humour frequently co-exist in the works under discussion, evidence of an earlier culture's aptitude (now lost) to occupy a position between two stools.
Of interest to cultural and literary historians, this ground-breaking study testifies to the arrival of scatology as an academic subject, at the same time recognising that it remains if not outside, then at least at the margins of conventional scholarship. -- .
Smith contends that the 'two stools' stand for two broadly distinctive attitudes towards scatology. The first is a carnivalesque, merry, even hearty disposition, typified by the writings of Chaucer and Shakespeare. The second is self-disgust, an attitude characterised by withering misanthropy and hypochondria. Smith demonstrates how the combination of high and low cultures manifests the capacity to run canonical and carnivalesque together so that sanctioned and civilised artefacts and scatological humour frequently co-exist in the works under discussion, evidence of an earlier culture's aptitude (now lost) to occupy a position between two stools.
Of interest to cultural and literary historians, this ground-breaking study testifies to the arrival of scatology as an academic subject, at the same time recognising that it remains if not outside, then at least at the margins of conventional scholarship. -- .
Reviews / Votes
Between Two Stools is a pleasure to read and makes significant contributions to the field of "shiterature". It is, in sum, good shit!David Palumbo, THE, 4 October 2012 -- .
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Manchester
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Illustrations, black & white
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
434 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7190-9761-4 (9780719097614)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Peter J. Smith
Between Two Stools
Scatology and its Representations in English Literature, Chaucer to Swift
E-Book
08/2015
1st Edition
Manchester University Press
from
€42.99
Available for download

Peter J. Smith
Between Two Stools
Scatology and its Representations in English Literature, Chaucer to Swift
E-Book
08/2015
1st Edition
Manchester University Press
€42.99
Available for download
Person
Peter J. Smith is Reader in Renaissance Literature, Nottingham Trent University -- .
Content
List of illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Turning the other cheek: scatology and its discontents in The Miller's and The Summoner's Tales
2. Ajax by any other name would smell as sweet: Shakespeare, Harington and onomastic scatology
3. M.O.A.I. 'What should that alphabetical position portend?': Shakespeare, Harington, Reynolds and the metamorphosis of scatology
4. Cavalier scatology between two stools: Rochester, Mennes, Pepys, Urquart and the sense of dis-ordure
5. Swift's shit: poetic traditions and satiric effects
6. Palpable shit: topology, religion and science -- .
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Turning the other cheek: scatology and its discontents in The Miller's and The Summoner's Tales
2. Ajax by any other name would smell as sweet: Shakespeare, Harington and onomastic scatology
3. M.O.A.I. 'What should that alphabetical position portend?': Shakespeare, Harington, Reynolds and the metamorphosis of scatology
4. Cavalier scatology between two stools: Rochester, Mennes, Pepys, Urquart and the sense of dis-ordure
5. Swift's shit: poetic traditions and satiric effects
6. Palpable shit: topology, religion and science -- .