William Morris's Utopia of Strangers: Victorian Medievalism and the Ideal of Hospitality

William Morris's conception of hospitality as a form of political tolerance is surveyed within the context of Victorian medievalism. It is commonly argued that William Morris's notion of the good society is uniquely tolerant - a claim which this book tests, asking whether Victorian medievalism and the associated ideal of hospitality offered Morris the resourcesto develop a new conception of utopia, characterized by openness rather than classical exclusivity. This central theme is addressed across a range of artistic and intellectual contexts, from Victorian neo-feudalism to socialism and the Arts and Crafts Movement, and drawing from work in literature, architecture, anthropology, political theory, law, art history and translation. Together with an analysis of the roots and legacy of Morris's work, the book offers a detailed survey of his many projects. Dr MARCUS WAITHE lectures in Victorian Literature at the University of Sheffield.