Rebecca Olson Livres

The book explores the significant role of textiles, particularly arras hangings, in early modern literature and drama. It argues that these tapestries served not just as decorative elements but as narrative models for writers like Edmund Spenser and William Shakespeare. By engaging audiences through the familiar art of weaving, authors allowed readers to project their desires onto "blank" tapestries, thus enhancing their involvement in the story. The work examines the deeper connections between literature and textiles, shedding light on the visual arts in post-Reformation England.

Arras Hanging: The Textile That Determined Early Modern Literature and Drama reveals that early modern writers aspired to produce narratives that replicated the structure and aesthetic of high-quality Renaissance tapestries in order to appeal to their audiences' desire for a hands-on and idiosyncratic narrative experience.