Advances in the History of Rhetoric Apr 2011

Restraint and Rhetorical Craftiness: Emphasis as a Means of Figured Speech in Montaigne's Essays

Claudia Carlos Carnegie Mellon University

Abstract

ABSTRACT One of the strongest voices against rhetorical excess in the Renaissance can be found in Montaigne's Essays. It is no wonder, then, that the author's own style has often been associated with a Stoic terseness that matches a professed goal of writing sans estude et artifice—in other words, without rhetoric. But when we consider the volatile political context in which Montaigne was writing, it becomes apparent that his stylistic restraint accomplishes far more than an effect of transparency. Focusing on the figure of emphasis-one in which the rhetor allows his audience to infer an additional meaning from what he says or does not say—this article explores the connection between the restraint of Montaigne's prose style and the classical art of covert argument.

Journal
Advances in the History of Rhetoric
Published
2011-04-15
DOI
10.1080/15362426.2011.559405
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
rhetorical criticism voice and style
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Show all 27 →
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