Challenging modern perceptions of past literary works

EU-funded research has reappraised the role of classical mythology as a figuration of desire in late renaissance and baroque poetry. The work focused mainly on Spanish and Italian texts, but also considered English, French, German and Scandinavian literature.

The project AFD (Ambiguous figures of desire) was based on two hypotheses. First, late renaissance and baroque literature reflects an uncertain preoccupation with eroticism – an issue usually seen today in a more unequivocally positive light. Second, this preoccupation is evidenced most explicitly in what can be termed the period's mythological poetry.

Further details: Challenging modern perceptions of past literary works