Stark, Ryan J.creatortextbibliographyElectronic books.dcuWashington, D.CCatholic University of America Pressc20092009monographiceng

electronic resource

1 online resource (vii, 234 p.)"Rhetoric operated at the crux of seventeenth-century thought, from arguments between scientists and magicians to anxieties over witchcraft and disputes about theology. Writers on all sides of these crucial topics stressed rhetorical discernment, because to the astute observer the shape of one's eloquence was perhaps the most reliable indicator of the heart's piety or, alternatively, of demonry. To understand the period's tenor, we must understand the period's rhetorical thinking, which is the focus of this book. Ryan J. Stark presents a spiritually sensitive, interdisciplinary, and original discussion of early modern English rhetoric. He shows specifically how experimental philosophers attempted to disenchant language. While rationalists and skeptics delighted in this disenchantment, mystics, wizards, and other practitioners of mysterious arts vehemently opposed the rhetorical precepts of modern science. These writers used tropes not as plain instruments but rather as numinous devices capable of transforming reality. On the contrary, the new philosophers perceived all esoteric language as a threat to learning's advancement, causing them to disavow both nefarious forms of occult spell casting and, unfortunately, edifying forms of wonderment and incantation. This fundamental conflict between scientists and mystics over the nature of rhetoric is the most significant linguistic happening in seventeenth-century England, and, as Stark argues, it ought profoundly to inform how we discuss the rise of modern English writing."--Jacket.Introduction: the new plainness -- Charmed and plain tropes -- Language reform in the late seventeenth century -- Natural magic -- Demonic eloquence -- Meric Casaubon on rhetorical enthusiasm -- John Dryden, new philosophy, and rhetoric -- Conclusion: the importance of philosophy of rhetoric.Ryan J. Stark.Includes bibliographical references (p. 209-225) and index.e-uk-enEnglish languageEarly modern, 1500-1700RhetoricRhetoricPhilosophyHistory17th centuryOccultismEnglandHistory17th centuryLiterature and scienceEnglandHistory17th centuryEnglish literatureEarly modern, 1500-1700History and criticismRhetorikEnglischLITERARY CRITICISM / European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh Geschichte 1600-1700 swd PE1083 .S73 2009eb820.9Stark, Ryan J.Washington, D.C. : Catholic University of America Press, c2009(DLC) 2008038128(OCoLC)2450242079780813218892 (electronic bk.)0813218896 (electronic bk.)http://www.netLibrary.com/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=360330http://www.netLibrary.com/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=360330N$T11032120200709055343.0ocn707926680