Rhetorica Jan 2003

Innovations and Compilations: Juan Gil de Zamora'sDictaminis Epithalamium

RICHARD McNABB

Abstract

Abstract: This essay brings to light a previously untranslated Latin medieval rhetorical treatise from Castile and León—Juan Gil de Zamora's letter writing manual Dictaminis Epithalamium, or The Marriage Song of Letter-Writing (c. 1277). Juan Gil (c. 1240–c. 1318) was among the first writers in Castile and León to compose a rhetorical treatise on the technical elements of composition. I outline the theoretical and technical elements of Juan Gil's ars dictaminis. Following an explication of his theory, I historicize the Dictaminis Epithalamium within the western European rhetorical tradition and within the established dictaminal genre. I argue that Juan Gil develops a new rhetoric for letter writing—one incorporating innovations as well as compilations of ideas from the Italian and French schools of letter-writing.

Journal
Rhetorica
Published
2003-01-01
DOI
10.1525/rh.2003.21.4.225
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism genre theory
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