This volume contains seven essays on the representation and interpretation of medieval and Renaissance dreams. Chaucer and Shakespeare are important reference points and theoretical approaches are drawn from Freud, anthropology, social history and gender studies as well as from literary criticism.

Editor's preface ; Notes on Contributors ; Introduction ; On the Borders of Middle English Dream Visions ; Medical and Moral Authority in the Late-Medieval Dream ; Intrepreting Dreams: Reflections on Freud, Milton, and Chaucer ; Baring Bottom: Shakespeare and the Chaucerian Dream Vision ; The Intrepretation of Dreams in the Renaissance ; The Candy-Colored Clown: Reading Early Modern Dreams ; Bibliography ; Index

`For those interested in medieval and early modern dreams, this book will be essential reading' Sixteenth Century Journal, Vol.32, No.4 `The large amount of material collected by the six scholars represented here will provide a good deal of food for thought as we continue to interpret medieval and early modern dreams' Sixteenth Century Journal, Vol.32, No.4 `Spearing's introduction is thorough and critical, adding to the overall quality of the book' Sixteenth Century Journal, Vol.32, No.4 `The aim to provide an interdisciplinary approach that also crosses boundaries between the medieval and Renaissance periods, is successfully accomplished' Sixteenth Century Journal, Vol.32, No.4 `A welcome addition to the critical assessment of medieval and early modern dreams and dream theory' Sixteenth Century Journal, Vol.32, No.4 `The volume's great strength derives from its union of two breeds of scholar - medieval and Renaissance - to tackle what is a key genre for both periods.' Medium Aevum, Vol.LXIX, 2000 `Reading Dreams addresses the persistent and perennial questions about dreams: where do they come from and what do they mean. Nominally it covers dreams from Chaucer to Shakespeare, but in fact provides insights into dreams and dream theory from Aristotle (Parva naturalia) to David Lynch (Blue Velvet), with significant attention to Freud's practices and theories' Eileen Gardiner, The Medieval Review `The volume includes its own review in the form of an introduction by A. C. Spearing (Medieval Dream Poetry), the scholar who introduced many to the whole subject of dreaming in medieval literature. It is an excellent summary of the book and analysis of the individual contributions ... he applauds the overall collection as an attempt "to place dreams and their interpretations more exactly in specific cultural contexts" ... the real strength of this volume lies in its occasional insights into the world of dream-study ... Any student of medieval literature, any student of Chaucer, and particularly any student of dreaming in Chaucer should consult this volume' Eileen Gardiner, The Medieval Review `In addition, Peter Holland's "'The Interpretation of Dreams' In the Renaissance" is an essential roadmap to dreaming in Europe for anyone whose interest strays beyond the Middle Ages--a pleasure to read and a wealth of scholarship.' Eileen Gardiner, The Medieval Review Among the many interesting and constant themes that recur throughout this volume are the authenticity of the dream, the relationship of the dreamer to the dream, the relationship of the dream to the narrator (and the dreamer to the narrator), as well as the source of dreams and the meanings of dreams. Several of the authors discuss the dream's relationship to its narration, either by the dreamer or by another narrator who also might act as an interpreter. `A lot of scholarship in a slim binding, this volume brings together contributors with impressive learning and a zeal to examine their materials and scholarly assumptions from fresh perspectives... it proceeds from Middle English literature Jacobean culture and drama, with some attention to European writing and to the dream theory in the 16th and 20th centuries - a range to be thankful for.' A. Galloway, Choice

Contributions from distinguished scholars with expertise in the field of dreams in English literature New and detailed research into Medieval and Renaissance study of dreams 'Medieval' and 'Renaissance' treated as continuous periods Rich mix of contextual material

Senior Lecturer in English Literature and Director of the Canterbury Centre for Medieval & Tudor Studies at the University of Kent (1993) Visiting Professor in English Literature, University of California at Los Angeles (1992-93) Distinguished Visiting Professor in Medieval Studies, University of Connecticut at Storrs (1991-92) Visiting Assistant Professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (198283) Lecturer in English and American Literature, University of Kent at Canterbury (1977-93) Tutor in Medieval English Literature, University of Exeter (1976-77)

Contributions from distinguished scholars with expertise in the field of dreams in English literature New and detailed research into Medieval and Renaissance study of dreams 'Medieval' and 'Renaissance' treated as continuous periods Rich mix of contextual material