Dynamic Matter

Dynamic Matter, Volume 1, is a scholarly work of literary criticism and history focusing on the life histories of Renaissance objects. This volume examines how early modern materials transform their environments as they move through time and space. By integrating Actor-Network Theory and object-oriented ontology, the text applies Aristotle's theory of dynameos to conceptualize matter as a form of potentiality.

The collection of essays analyzes specific objects found in 16th century and early modern texts, including works by William Shakespeare and Edmund Spenser. Through detailed case studies of glasswork, feathers, and books, the authors explore the networks in which these things circulate. This European history volume provides a rigorous theorization of Renaissance materialist thought, highlighting the inherent power and agency of objects within English and European literary contexts.