Imagining the Soul in Premodern Literature

“Thought-provoking ... . refreshing new perspectives ... . [Its] fascinating rereading of Hamlet's ghost within the discourse of early modern experimentalism and its reception of classical atomist notions of vacuity ... . is a showcase of just how much new and original insight may be gained from Davies's method.” (Gabriela Schmidt, Renaissance Quarterly, Vol. 76 (3), 2023)

“An ambitiously wide ranging and earnestly but often delightfully quirky study of the literary representation of the soul. … packed full of creative connections and provocative new perspectives … . this study is a creative contribution not only to literary studies but also to intellectual history and to the histories of philosophy, science, and religion that is to be commended for its intellectual ambition and deserves a wide readership.” (David Parry, Modern Language Review, Vol. 118 (4), October 2023)

“Erudite and compelling ... . unexpected and revelatory ... . rich and deeply accomplished ... bringing philosophical and existential concerns into direct and complex dialogue with questions of literary form. ... Copious and persuasive, Davies’s study is an excellent exploration … .” (Alison Searle, SHAKESPEARE, September 12, 2023)