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

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

LaGrandeur, Kevin, author.

Series:

Routledge Studies in Renaissance Literature and Culture

Routledge studies in Renaissance literature and culture ; 22

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

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

English literature.

Machine theory in literature.

Androids in literature.

Technology and civilization--England--History.

Technology and civilization.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (223 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Routledge, 2013.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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:

Contents:

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.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on metadata supplied by the publisher and other sources.

ISBN:

1-136-22073-9

1-283-94231-3

0-203-09697-5

1-136-22074-7

9780203096970

OCLC:

823719458