Review by Choice Review
Although memory and constructions of the past are current topics in theorizing history and psychology, this appears to be the first book to explore relations between memory and forgetting and early modern dramatic constructions of subjectivity. In an attempt to further understanding of early modern subjectivity, Sullivan (Pennsylvania State Univ.) assumes "memory and forgetting" are "the terms through which the subject is located in relation to various social institutions and practices." The concept that gives his case greatest leverage is "self-forgetting," by which he means a person's failure to fulfill his/her "Christian," "social," "political," or "lineal" self by forgetting it due to erotic or some other distraction--such as Anthony's forgetting himself as a Roman under the distraction of Cleopatra and her Egypt. The author uses interesting texts to explain self-forgetting, for example, John Donne's Lincoln's Inn sermon of 1618, which helps Sullivan elucidate Faustus's incomplete memory of Romans 6:23 in his opening soliloquy. However, in seeking to present a nuanced argument, Sullivan brings too many concepts into play (oblivion, conscience, delegated authority, etc.), with the result that some sections become convoluted and difficult to follow. His dry, condensed writing style makes the going even tougher. ^BSumming Up: Optional. Graduate students and above. D. N. Mager Johnson C. Smith University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
