"Mallin brings an astute and historically informed critical mind to bear on the numerous ways in which contagion resonates throughout the period. . . . The book is also a lucid, witty, and engaging performance in its own right, a genuine pleasure to read."--Steven Mullaney, author of The Place of the Stage "Elegant in conception and witty in style, conversant with the broad methodological issues of early modern English cultural studies but sturdily independent in its take on current theory."--Gail Kern Paster, author of The Body Embarrassed