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Death, Discipline, and the Dead: Biopolitical Rhetoric in Early Modern English Texts

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Death, Discipline, and the Dead: Biopolitical Rhetoric in Early Modern English Texts University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--English English 2021 Death, Discipline, and the Dead: Biopolitical Rhetoric in Early Modern English Texts Leslie Raybuck Malland University of Kentucky, [email protected] Digital Object Identifier: https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2021.020 Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Malland, Leslie Raybuck, "Death, Discipline, and the Dead: Biopolitical Rhetoric in Early Modern English Texts" (2021). Theses and Dissertations--English. 121. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/english_etds/121 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the English at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--English 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 needed written permission statement(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) which will be submitted to UKnowledge as Additional File. I hereby grant to The University of Kentucky and its agents the irrevocable, non-exclusive, and royalty-free 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 an 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 thesis including all changes required by the advisory committee. The undersigned agree to abide by the statements above. Leslie Raybuck Malland, Student Dr. Joyce G. MacDonald, Major Professor Dr. Michael Trask, Director of Graduate Studies Death, Discipline, and the Dead: Biopolitical Rhetoric in Early Modern English Texts ____________________________ DISSERTATION _____________________________ A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Leslie R. Malland Lexington, KY Director: Dr. Joyce G. MacDonald, Professor of English Lexington, KY 2021 Copyright © Leslie R. Malland 2021 Abstract of Dissertation Death, Discipline, and the Dead: Biopolitical Rhetoric in Early Modern English Texts Death, Discipline, and the Dead: Biopolitical Rhetoric in Early Modern English Texts locates allusions to the biopolitical culture of Early Modern England within popular English texts. Through my examination of the period’s fascination with death—public executions, newly- authorized anatomies—and the ways in which death, as well as the treatment of the dead, was authorized by and supported the ideological aims of the state, my research identifies how those themes carry over into the most popular works of the day, reviewing instances of both verbal and nonverbal rhetoric across genres to find allusions to biopower — or, state control of the biological. I argue that biopower extends to the dead, even in their silence, and is evidenced in early modern literature, and that biopolitical rhetoric — such as allusions to gallows, gallows rhetoric, and anatomical discourse — is detectable across genres of entertainment, including sermons, prose fiction, plays, and anatomy publications. This project reads works by John Donne, Thomas Nashe, William Shakespeare, and early modern anatomists to reveal how these authors, like me, are interested in the death culture of early modern England and how that culture contributes to their concepts of English nationalism, the female body, citizenship, religion, absolute submission, and discipline. Keywords: biopower, literature, execution, Donne, Nashe, anatomy Leslie R. Malland February 15, 2021 Death, Discipline, and the Dead: Biopolitical Rhetoric in Early Modern English Texts By Leslie R. Malland Joyce G. MacDonald Director of Dissertation Michael Trask Director of Graduate Studies February 15, 2021 Acknowledgements There have been many people that supported this project and my educational journey. It sure does take a village! First, I want to thank my committee for all their support and patience. Dr. MacDonald read many, many drafts of each chapter and challenged me to develop my writing and critical thinking skills. Drs. Shortslef, Cagle, Giancarlo, and Gargola helped answer tough questions and provided excellent feedback and support. Kristen Pickett, Robin Rahija, and Jason Patrick Carr also helped me along this journey. They did much more than manage my teaching assignments and departmental paperwork; these three are the glue that holds it all together, and often had to help me stay glued together. Together, as a team, we all worked toward the finalization of this project. Each of us has a stake in this dissertation, and I’m proud of all our work to make this project successful. I also received professional guidance and support from my longtime mentor, Dr. Geoffrey Clegg. He has been there for me during every step of this journey, starting on my first day of MA coursework. Jennifer Lodine-Chaffey, Morris Grubbs, Judy Pratts, Kristi Costello, Janelle Collins, Jim Ridolfo, Beth Connors-Manke, and Janet Eldred have each offered guidance over the years. I truly value their writing advice. Special thanks to Farhana Hoque, Andrew Laas, and Susan Bokern of Proquest for their research assistance and for providing me an opportunity to practice archival research. I thoroughly enjoy every time we get to meet at a conference and catch-up. Rafael Narvaéz has been an invaluable resource throughout my graduate career. Rafael, gracias mi amigo. Gracias por ayudarme a navegar conceptos difíciles, invitándome a trabajar contigo en numerosos proyectos y apoyándome continuamente como amigo y académico. Además, por ayudarme con mi español. Over the years, many friends and family have kept me going and pushed me forward in many ways. Deputy Police Chief Jeff Simms literally moved my house full of furniture to Jonesboro so I could begin my journey to my PhD. Thank you for buying me the best copy of Beowulf and listening to all my failed attempts to read it like Seamus Heaney; thanks for being a great running buddy and a supportive friend. I thank Jeff first because he is the friend I lost along this journey, and it breaks my heart he cannot be with us to see the final project he helped support. Next, I want to thank all my friends who were there for every phone call, every anxiety attack, and every time I second guessed myself. The list is long, but the major players have always been Morgan Weaver, Isabelle Racine-Tenace, Jenn Murray and the Murray family, Kelly Wright, Valerie Stevens, Gocke Tekeli, the Hetrick family, Emily DeHaven, John Hardin, and Ashley Lynch-Severs. And special thanks to Father Larry Tensi for being an exceptional source of love and support over the years. My cohort and Drew Heverin helped me talk through ideas and have always supported my research. Claire Lenviel, Brittany Sulzener, Mills Handy, Chinwe Morah, and Jillian Winter have each spent hours sharing their experiences and helping me throughout this process. They have guided me as colleagues and as friends by providing much needed emotional support, opportunities to de- stress, and countless smiles and laughs. From Spring Break library lock-ins to peer review opportunities and long days at Common Grounds coffee house, this group has been a treasure to have alongside me throughout the PhD process. I am also grateful for the best iii writing buddies and dogs in the world, Elliot and Coraline, for waiting (snoring) patiently by my side and being there for the hardest days. Elliot is a tough editor! There is not enough I can say to thank my parents and family for their support. Cindy Woodruff (Meto) and David Malland made me into such a strong woman, and I am forever thankful. Thanks for everything, especially for all the childcare while I attended classes! Dad, I am sorry for all those times I called to complain that you did not raise me to be a quitter at times when I wanted to quit. You were right, it is better to power through. Meto, thanks for being my best friend, my personal hotline for the best recipes to stress bake, and my constant inspiration. Copper BOOM, we did it! Olivia Malland, you are the greatest big sister! Thanks for always being there for me and for being someone I can always look to for advice and inspiration. Sarah and Quinn Condra, you two bring so much joy to my heart. Thanks for being my daughter’s best friends forever. My Raybuck family has been the best second family a person could marry into; each of them has shown me tremendous kindness. They welcomed me into their family with open arms and an open bottle of wine. I am forever grateful for their love and laughter. Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my daughter, Athena, and my husband, Doug. Athena, you are a wonderfully brave, beautiful woman and it is the greatest honor of my life to be your mom. Thanks for your patience, especially during exam years when you were responsible for making dinners while I studied.
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