Secret Places in Renaissance Drama

• Published in: Ben Jonson and the Art of Secrecy pp. 15 - 31
• Main Author: Slights, William W. E
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Toronto University of Toronto Press 01.02.2015
• Subjects: Alchemy; Anatomy; Anthropology; Art criticism; Art theory; Arts; Behavioral sciences; Biological sciences; Biology; Criminal conspiracy; Criminal law; Criminal offenses; Early Modern Period; Esotericism; Ethnography; Ethnology; European history; European studies; Extremities; Fingers; Hermetic philosophy; Hermeticism; Human behavior; Human populations; International politics; International relations; Interpersonal interaction; Intimacy; Intimate relationships; Jacobean era; Law; Men; Performing arts; Persons; Political science; Politics; Population studies; Practical theology; Religion; Renaissance drama; Social behavior; Social interaction; Social sciences; State espionage; Theater; Theater criticism; Theater history; Theatrical genres; Theology; Upper extremity
• ISBN: 144265502X; 9781442655027
• DOI: 10.3138/9781442623521-004

In 1584 Reginald Scot published his contribution to the minor genre of discovery literature. What he discovered - that is, revealed - to the world was not the mysteries of remote places or the tricks of cardsharps, but the much-feared secrets of witchcraft. He gave over the entire fourth book of hisDiscoverie of Witchcraftto the sexual interventions of witches, including the story of a young man who, under a witch’s spell, was made ‘to leave his instruments of venerie behind him.’ The unfortunate young man had, then, to resort to a second witch for restitution thereof who brought