Disability, Health, and Happiness in the Shakespearean Body

This book considers early modern and postmodern ideals of health, vigor, ability, beauty, well-being, and happiness, uncovering the complex negotiations among physical embodiment, emotional response, and communally-sanctioned behavior in Shakespeare's world. It visits the history of the body and how early modern cultures understand physical ability or vigor, emotional competence or satisfaction, and joy or self-fulfillment. Integrating insights from Disability Studies, Health Studies, and Happiness Studies, this book develops a detailed literary-historical analysis and a provocative cultural argument about the emphasis we place on popular notions of fitness and contentment today.