TO THE READER
THIS FIGURE, THAT THOU HERE SEEST PUT, IT WAS FOR GENTLE SHAKESPEARE CUT; WHEREIN THE GRAVER HAD A STRIFE WITH NATURE, TO OUT-DO THE LIFE: O, COULD HE BUT HAVE DRAWN HIS WIT AS WELL IN BRASS, AS HE HATH HIT HIS FACE; THE PRINT WOULD THEN SURPASS ALL, THAT WAS EVER WRIT IN BRASS. BUT, SINCE HE CANNOT, READER, LOOK, NOT ON HIS PICTURE, BUT HIS BOOK. BEN: JONSON.
The Medieval view of man was generally not an exalted one.
It saw him as more or less depraved, fallen from Grace as a result of Adam's sin; and the things of this world as of little value in terms of his salvation.
Natural life was thought of mainly as a preparation for man's entry into Eternity.
But Renaissance thought soon began to rehabilitate man and nature. Without denying man's need for Grace, men came gradually to accept the idea that there were "goods," values, "innocent delights" to be had in the world here and now.
Man himself was seen no longer as wholly vile and depraved, incapable even of desiring goodness, but rather as Shakespeare saw him in Hamlet.
Book is in acceptable condition. General shelf and corner wear. A few white marks on the front and back cover. Some fraying around the edges. The spine has some issues (see photo #3). Cover fading. Cover creasing. Some staining on the front and back cover. Cover creasing. A solid reading copy. Please see photos for details, and let me know if you have any questions.