This book is one of the first to examine medieval Spanish canonical works for their portrayals of disability in relationship to theological teachings, legal precepts, and medical knowledge.

Auteur

Connie L. Scarborough is a professor in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures at Texas Tech University, where she serves as co-director of the program in medieval and Renaissance studies. She is the author of Inscribing the Environment.

Contenu

Acknowledgements
Introduction: Disability Theory and Pre-Modern Considerations
Disability Theories: Definitions and Limitations
Adapting Disability Studies for the Pre-Modern Era
The Role of the Church and Christian Beliefs
Disability Studies and Literary Texts
Goals and Organization

1 Lameness - Los Contrechos
Definitions and Theories
Legal Status
Historical and Pseudo-Scientific Accounts
Work and Occupational Hazards
Mobility Devices
Divine Punishment
Ridicule and Example
The Monstrous

2 Blindness - Los Ciegos
Medieval Theories of Sight
Causes for Loss of Sight
Religious Beliefs
Begging and Charity
Blinding as Judicial Punishment
Blinding as Divine Punishment
Self-Blinding
Comic Potential

3 Deafness and Inability to Speak - Los Sordomudos
Deaf vs. deaf
Legal status
Cures (?)
Popular Refrains and Wisdom Literature
Spiritual Autobiography/Pathology/Consolation
Loss of Speech

4 Leprosy - Los Gafos
Medical Knowledge
Segregation (?)
The Leper as Metaphor
Leprosy as Divine Punishment
Leper as Holy Messenger
Leper as Figure in Religious History
Leprosy and 'Tests of Friendship'

5 Cured by the Grace of God - Los Milagros
The Medieval Concept of Miracle
Miracle Accounts
Missing Limbs
Lameness and Paralysis
Multiple Impairments
Blindness
Deafness and Inability to Speak
Leprosy
Interdependence of Disability and Divine Cure

6 Conclusions

Works Cited
Index