Document Type
Paper
Publication Date
Spring 2010
Abstract
Shakespeare’s "Antony and Cleopatra" presents a beautiful narrative through its elaborate and eloquent passages. The masterful descriptions and dialogues make use of the ideals of Renaissance rhetorical practices with which Shakespeare was undoubtedly familiar. Emblematic of these linguistic devices are the messengers who transfer information amongst the characters. They hold the power of knowledge, but with the responsibility of moving the textual language faithfully; they thus become the functionaries of Renaissance rhetoric. Through a study of contemporary Renaissance rhetorical manuals, as well as an examination of criticism of Shakespeare and his play, this paper finds significance in the various linguistic tools Shakespeare assigned to the messengers of the play.
Recommended Citation
Jenkins-Sleczkowski, Chloe, "“Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear” : Dramatization of Language in Antony and Cleopatra" (2010). ECLS Student Scholarship.
http://scholar.oxy.edu/ecls_student/26
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Included in
Dramatic Literature, Criticism and Theory Commons, Literature in English, British Isles Commons, Rhetoric Commons
Comments
Chloe Jenkins-Sleczkowski earned distinction for her senior comprehensive project.