The Art of Rhetoric

by Thomas Wilson, Peter E. Medine (Editor)

A learned work of rhetoric . . . compiled and made in the English tongue, of [one] who in judgment is profound, in wisdom and eloquence most famous. Thus in 1563 rhetorician Richard Rainolde praised The Art of Rhetoric, the work that brought into English the procedures of Ciceronian rhetoric-invention, disposition, style, memory, and delivery-the core of the academic curriculum in Renaissance England. Written in vigorous, native English, the Art went through eight editions between 1553 and 1585. At least part of its appeal was practicality. On the final page of his copy on Quintilian, Gabriel Harvey noted that The Art of Rhetoric is the "Daily bread of our common pleaders and discoursers." But its appeal was also academic. In 1619, nearly forty years after the Art had lapsed from print, John Milton's teacher Alexander Gill invoked Wilson as he ridiculed the affectations of pretentiously learned language. Seen in its historical context, Wilson's The Art of Rhetoric reveals a great deal

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1553

About the author

1525-1581

Reviews

[Angelina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I fully understand that you need to take into account time and place when you read something written in the 1500s, but the blatant sexism was very off-putting and probably made me more critical than I would have otherwise been. There are a few spots that are poorly organized and thus confusing, and I wasn't in love with some of his examples of "good rhetoric"--I almost wish I could go back in time and hand him a copy of Malcolm Gladwell's "David and Goliath" just to watch his face as he read the first bit.

Also, written to preserve the Middle English, so u=v except when it doesn't and such. I'd recommend trying the Canterbury Tales over this if you want a Middle English experience.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complete ciceroian rhetoric in the vernacular, but plenty of interesting risks of rhetoric, Protestant pope-bashing, and anxieties of nationalism.