This book examines the historical pathologization of dance and its implications for Western perceptions of the body and performance. It investigates the complex and long-standing connections between illness, madness, poetry, and performance, particularly through the lens of nineteenth-century responses at the intersections of dance, literature, and medicine. The work questions what has underpinned the idealization of dance in Western culture, exploring how notions of pathology have shaped its reception.

This scholarly work delves into the historical relationship between dance and notions of pathology, offering a critical perspective on Western idealizations of the art form. It is likely to appeal to academics and students in dance studies, cultural history, and the history of medicine. The book's focus on the nineteenth century and its interdisciplinary approach suggests a detailed and nuanced exploration of its subject matter. The analysis promises to challenge conventional views of dance by uncovering its often-overlooked connections to illness and madness.