Pure resistance
Subtitle: queer virginity in early modern English drama
By: Theodora A. Jankowski.
Series: New cultural studies
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press
Published: 2000
Place of publication: Philadelphia
Language: eng
Number of pages: 283
Subjects: Elizabeth I, Queen of England, 1533-1603 -- Influence; English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600 -- History and criticism; Virginity in literature; Lesbianism in literature; Women in literature; Marriage customs and rites in literature; Virginity -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- History of doctrines -- 16th century; Marriage customs and rites -- England -- History -- 16th century; Homosexuality and literature -- England -- History -- 16th century; Women and literature -- England -- History -- 16th century
Genres: History and criticism.
Description: "In Pure Resistance Theodora A. Jankowski surveys the history of virginity in Christian thought from ancient times through the Renaissance in terms of contemporary queer theory. The Pauline doctrine that virginity for both men and women is superior to marriage remained strong in Augustine - who believed that consecrated virgins were "a greater blessing" than the married - and became a cornerstone of Roman Catholic theology.

Even the current edition of the New Catholic Encyclopedia privileges the state of virginity because it has as its object a superior good." "The author's claims regarding the queerness of virginity necessarily challenge the prevailing belief that the Protestant Reformation ushered in more enlightened attitudes toward women. Indeed, when considered from a queer perspective, the Protestant notion of companionate marriage proved to be far more confining to women than what had come before."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [257]-273) and index.