Becoming Criminal

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The book explores the emergence of a unique "criminal culture" in early modern England, beginning in the 1520s, characterized by beggars, vagabonds, and other marginalized groups. This community, defined by its criminal activities and dissident ideologies, interacted with and influenced mainstream cultural norms. Through an analysis of various literary and historical texts, the author illustrates how this culture shaped aesthetic sensibilities and societal structures, highlighting its impact on the works of notable playwrights like Shakespeare and Jonson.