ABSTRACT
Theearlymodernerainheritedadualisticconceptionofhumansascreaturesin whombodyandmind,orbodyandsoul,existedinuneasyandproblematicrelation.InfluencedbybothclassicalandJudaeo-Christiantraditions,theprevailing viewstressedtheinferiorityofthebody,oftenregardedasaburdenorprisonfor theintellectualandspiritualentitiesithoused.Thesesoughttoexpressthemselves morefullybeyondthematerialworldandtoachieveunionwiththedivine;the bodycouldonlybeanobstacletothis.Enforcedproximitytothebodywas dangerousforthemindandsoul,whichcouldeasilybecontaminatedbyitsgrossness.Whatexactlythesoulwasandpreciselyhowitexistedinitstemporary corporalhomeweremattersofmuchdebate.
