The Rhetorical Feminine

This book takes a fresh look at theatre - including the important new genre of opera - in early modern Germany. Designed for public entertainment and improvement, these were the creations of Christian men in turbulent times. Many of their anxieties found expression in portrayals of non-Christians and women. Taking as a starting-point the importance of rhetoric in early modern boys' education, this study considers the relationship between theatre, persuasion, and social stability, and looks at how the stage helps to develop ideas about women and non-Christian peoples which have not lost their relevance today.