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The Use of Space in Early Modern Venice

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The Use of Space in Early Modern Venice University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--History History 2013 SACRED, SUSPECT, FORBIDDEN: THE USE OF SPACE IN EARLY MODERN VENICE Julie D. Fox University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Fox, Julie D., "SACRED, SUSPECT, FORBIDDEN: THE USE OF SPACE IN EARLY MODERN VENICE" (2013). Theses and Dissertations--History. 11. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/history_etds/11 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the History at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--History by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STUDENT AGREEMENT: I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. Proper attribution has been given to all outside sources. I understand that I am solely responsible for obtaining any needed copyright permissions. I have obtained and attached hereto needed written permission statements(s) from the owner(s) of each third-party copyrighted matter to be included in my work, allowing electronic distribution (if such use is not permitted by the fair use doctrine). I hereby grant to The University of Kentucky and its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible my work in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I agree that the document mentioned above may be made available immediately for worldwide access unless a preapproved embargo applies. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of my work. I understand that I am free to register the copyright to my work. REVIEW, APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE The document mentioned above has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor, on behalf of the advisory committee, and by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), on behalf of the program; we verify that this is the final, approved version of the student’s dissertation including all changes required by the advisory committee. The undersigned agree to abide by the statements above. Julie D. Fox, Student Dr. Gretchen Starr-LeBeau, Major Professor Dr. David Hamilton, Director of Graduate Studies SACRED, SUSPECT, FORBIDDEN: THE USE OF SPACE IN EARLY MODERN VENICE DISSERTATION A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of History at the University of Kentucky By Julie Fox Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Gretchen Starr-LeBeau, Professor of History Lexington, Kentucky 2013 Copyright © Julie Fox 2013 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION SACRED, SUSPECT, FORBIDDEN: THE USE OF SPACE IN EARLY MODERN VENICE This dissertation argues that Venetian space in the sixteenth century was embedded with various boundaries that individuals challenged and that communities and Venetian secular and ecclesiastical authorities reinforced. The development of Venetian urban space played an essential role in the formation of Venetian civic identity, which in turn was predicated upon the myth of Venice. The time period examined includes the re- establishment of the Roman Inquisition, and the early period of the Inquisition in Venice, which were concomitant with a time of religious and social disruption. Documents of the Venetian government and contemporary diarists offer contextual evidence; however, trials before the Holy Office in Venice, particularly cases involving those accused of witchcraft, inform the greatest portion of this study. Drawing on such evidence, this dissertation challenges the argument that “Venetian” society was cohesive and well balanced. By repurposing common and sacred items to invoke supernatural entities and perform heterodox practices, those accused of witchcraft challenged the Venetian secular and ecclesiastical authorities as they created a competing vision regarding the definition of domestic sacred space. Examination of the neighborhood as a social space reveals boundaries, both real and imagined, and the challenges to the boundaries that those living on the margins of society displayed through the creation of their own communities. Finally, inhabitants’ use of public space and their movement throughout these spaces offers evidence of challenges to boundaries as well as the measures authorities took in re- establishing these boundaries. Ultimately, competing desires for belonging and legitimacy, as well as disagreements over physical, ideological, and social boundaries set Venetian inhabitants and authorities in opposition. KEYWORDS: Civic Space, Inquisition in Venice, Social Boundaries, Cemeteries as Space, Witchcraft in Early Modern Venice Julie D. Fox 14 November 2013 SACRED, SUSPECT, FORBIDDEN: THE USE OF SPACE IN EARLY MODERN VENICE By Julie Fox Dr. Gretchen Starr-LeBeau Director of Dissertation Dr. David Hamilton Director of Graduate Studies 14 November 2013 Date For my Father ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Writing a dissertation is a lonely process that requires the assistance of a great number of people. Working on my dissertation from my home in the mountains of Western North Carolina meant that I relied heavily on the Interlibrary Loan Department at East Tennessee State University. Many thanks are in order for Alison DePollo and the ILL staff at ETSU. Alison managed to procure nearly five hundred books for my dissertation over the years, and I am grateful for her patience and persistence. On many occasions my requests, books and articles from foreign libraries on obscure subjects, must have seemed outlandish, yet Alison never failed. My co-workers and colleagues at ETSU and Mars Hill University demonstrated remarkable kindness and support throughout this arduous journey. On many occasions they were met early in the morning with my somber hello when I tired from staying up late writing, creating, and revising my dissertation. Always I was met with encouraging words and kind smiles of encouragement that often cajoled me into a chuckle. There were many obstacles while working on this dissertation and just as many people who helped me overcome those obstacles. I would like to thank Dr. Bruno Grazioli of Smith College and Dr. Lucia Antonelli-Carter, Chair of History at Mars Hill University, for taking time out of their busy schedules to assist me with transcriptions and translation questions. Dr. Grazioli worked with me remotely, which was incredibly convenient for me, and I am guessing, a tremendous inconvenience for him, but I remain grateful for his patience with early modern Venetian and me. As my next door neighbor iii at MHU, Dr. Antonelli-Carter was interrupted with my translation questions more than she should have been, but she never turned me away. I also owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Jonathan Glixon, Department of Musicology at the University of Kentucky, and a member of my dissertation committee. Dr. Glixon read, corrected, and commented on every translation that I made within this dissertation. I have learned a tremendous amount about early modern Venice from his explanations and stories of the Venetian language. I must add that Dr. Glixon took several hours from his own research in Venice to look at and correct my translations. Other members of my dissertation committee also deserve acknowledgement because it was their countless comments and question answering that guided me through this process. Dr. Abigail Firey read this dissertation more times than any person should have to. I am indebted to her guiding questions and her encouragement at times when I felt that I had run out of energy. Dr. Firey taught me that doing something well is a much better feeling than just doing something to be finished. And lastly, the Chair of my dissertation committee, Dr. Gretchen Starr-LeBeau, taught me that there is always more to know and that the semi-colon is a tricky, yet very useful punctuation mark. Throughout this process, Dr. Starr-LeBeau always answered my panic-ridden emails, no matter the hour. She has seen me defeated and drained, but she always kept me moving forward and will remain my mentor. Near to last, special thanks are in order for Ashley DeWitt, Lecturer in the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Kentucky. As my proof-reader, iv Ashley has taught me more about the English language than I learned in all of my years as a student. Ashley worked under a strict deadline to get drafts back to me and never failed to surpass my expectations, all the while having to contend with her own work and research. It is with great honor that I am able to call her my friend. And finally to my family, my greatest blessing, I am grateful that they are still here to see the end of this journey. To “Buddha,” Robert Phillips; thank you for taking me to Italy and for showing me the benefit of paying it forward. To my kittens (Lillie, Tanner, Tucker, and Trevor): God gave me the privilege of being your Aunt, and for that I am forever grateful. Your hugs, kisses, endless questions, and boundless energy reminded me that there would be an end to this process one day and, therefore time for us to play. We have a lot of time to make up! For my mother and father, my thanks and gratitude goes back further than this dissertation. You have given me all the tools necessary to be successful: perseverance, diligence, dedication, and most importantly, the benefit of humility. Thank you for not letting me quit or abandon my obligations when they became difficult. More than once through this dissertation process I wanted to shut down my computer and walk away or go to bed and not tend to my revisions, but it was your voices that I heard telling me that there was work to finish.
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