Allegory of Lady Rhetoric

Welcome to the English 584 blog page, a place where we'll be sharing many ideas and perspectives over the next few weeks, and where we'll also have the opportunity to upload any links or images which might be useful for expanding discussion and debate.

To the right is the image of a woodcut entitled "The Allegory of Lady Rhetoric." I include it here because Lady Rhetoric represents many (but not all) of the various aspects of rhetoric we'll be covering in class. An explication of the woodcut is provided by Donald Lemen Clark in his book, Rhetoric in Greco-Roman Education, published in 1957.

"Lady Rhetoric, as presented in the woodcut from the medieval encyclopaedia Margarita philosophica (1504) reflects a remarkably accurate and full statement of Greco-Roman rhetoric. By the sword and the lily which extend from her mouth she represents allegorically the two traditional functions of rhetoric: to attack and defend by verbal arguments and to embellish speech with verbal adornment. The beauty of her gown and the charm of her coiffure represent beauty of style as first taught by Gorgias. The words embroidered on the hem of her robe remind us of the colores, or figures of speech, and the enthymemes and exempla, types of deductive and inductive argument."

The next sixteen weeks will demonstrate how beautifully succinct Clark's description of Greco-Roman rhetoric is, and will provide us with ample opportunity to apply Lady Rhetoric's charms to our contemporary lives. I look forward to working and learning with you all, and wish you an enjoyable and productive semester.