The Physiognomical Discourse and European Theatre

The discourse on Physiognomy had an important influence and impact on European theatrical culture at the end of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth centuries. The book discusses the debate about the scientific nature of Physiognomy and its presence in acting manuals and plays in English, German, French and Italian.

Autorentext

Maria-Christina Mur studied History and Comparative Literature at the University of Vienna, and holds a PhD in European literature from the University of Bologna. Her main research focus is literature and its relation to (pseudo)-scientific theories of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Inhalt

Physiognomy - Pathognomy - Johann Caspar Lavater - Acting manuals - Display of passions - Inner beauty-outer beauty - Facial expression - Signs in the face - Tableaux vivants - Character description