1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910462814503321

Autore

LaGrandeur Kevin

Titolo

Androids and intelligent networks in early modern literature and culture : artificial slaves / / Kevin LaGrandeur

Pubbl/distr/stampa

New York : , : Routledge, , 2013

ISBN

1-283-94231-3

0-203-09697-5

1-136-22074-7

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (223 p.)

Collana

Routledge studies in Renaissance literature and culture ; ; 22

Disciplina

809/.93356

Soggetti

English literature - Early modern, 1500-1700 - History and criticism

Machine theory in literature

Androids in literature

Technology and civilization - England - History

Electronic books.

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Artificial slaves: intelligent tools/ rebellious agents -- Real human automata from the pre-empirical era -- Whole bodies: alchemy, cabala, and the embodiment of force -- Body parts: talking brass heads, dangerous knowledge, and Robert Greene's plays -- Prospero's ethereal prosthesis -- Doctor Faustus: losing control of the servant network -- Points of contact between artificial servants of yesterday and today.

Sommario/riassunto

This book explores the creation and use of artificially made humanoid servants and servant networks by fictional and non-fictional scientists of the early modern period. Beginning with an investigation of the roots of artificial servants, humanoids, and automata from earlier times, LaGrandeur traces how these literary representations coincide with a surging interest in automata and experimentation, and how they blend with the magical science that preceded the empirical era. In the instances that this book considers, the idea of the artificial factotum is connected with an emotional paradox: