In the Middle Ages rhetoric played a much more important role than it does nowadays. Replaced by sciences like aesthetics, psychology or stylistics1 in our time rhetoric was of central interest in scholarly life back then. It was not simply reduced to the science of tropes and figures like it is often done nowadays but there was much more to it in the Middle Ages. Based on the rhetorical tradition of the antiquity rhetoric was the art of speech, which already shows that it was a broad subject. It will therefore be of importance to give a general overview of rhetoric in those days and to look at one author in particular to illustrate how rhetoric was used. One of the most important and best known authors of the Middle Ages is Geoffrey Chaucer. That is why he will be considered as a representative of the rhetoricians of his time in this term paper.
The following chapters will deal with rhetoric in the Middle Ages in general and with Chaucer as a rhetorician of that time in particular. This term paper will not only summarise what rhetoric was like in those days but, moreover, it will examine the most important features of Chaucer’s poetical style. Finally a closer look at The Parliament of Fowls, one of Chaucer’s minor poems, will make clear how Chaucer used rhetorical devices and other language ornaments to make his works aesthetic and to get his message across. While reading Chaucer it has to be kept in mind that his poems were not published as books to be read but were presented to an audience. That is why it will be of interest to examine the way the oral character is created in Chaucer’s poems.
Rhetorical devices were originally used to make a text or speech aesthetic and persuasive and nowadays they are often used as the starting point for interpretations of a text because it is assumed that there must be a connection between the style and the meaning of a poem. This term paper, however, is not supposed to contribute to the understanding of Chaucer’s The Parliament of Fowls in the first place or even to provide any interpretations of the poem as a whole but it shall give an insight into Chaucer’s rhetoric and focus on selected examples of this poem. It deals with Chaucer’s poetical style and not with the deeper meaning of his poem. Nevertheless some rhetorical features cannot be explained without looking at certain possible interpretations of them.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Rhetoric in the Middle Ages
- Geoffrey Chaucer's rhetorical style
- Rhetoric in The Parliament of Fowls
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to explore the role of rhetoric in the Middle Ages and to analyze its application in the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, specifically in The Parliament of Fowls. It examines Chaucer's rhetorical style and how he used various rhetorical devices to enhance the aesthetic appeal and persuasiveness of his poetry, considering the context of oral presentation. The paper avoids in-depth interpretations of the poem's meaning, focusing instead on the technical aspects of Chaucer's rhetoric.
- The importance of rhetoric in medieval scholarship and its distinction from modern understandings.
- An overview of medieval rhetorical theory and practice, including key figures and texts.
- Analysis of Chaucer's mastery of rhetorical techniques.
- Examination of the use of rhetorical devices in The Parliament of Fowls.
- The significance of oral performance in understanding Chaucer's poetry.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by highlighting the significant role rhetoric played in the Middle Ages, contrasting it with its diminished status in modern times. It introduces Geoffrey Chaucer as a central figure for understanding medieval rhetoric and outlines the paper's structure, focusing on a general overview of medieval rhetoric and a detailed examination of Chaucer's rhetorical style, particularly in The Parliament of Fowls. The chapter emphasizes the importance of considering the oral nature of Chaucer's poetry and clarifies the paper's scope, which is primarily focused on the technical aspects of Chaucer's rhetoric rather than detailed interpretations of his works.
2. Rhetoric in the Middle Ages: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of medieval rhetoric, tracing its origins back to classical antiquity and highlighting its influence on various aspects of medieval life. It discusses the key figures of ancient rhetoric (Aristotle, Cicero, Quintilian) and their lasting impact on medieval rhetorical theory and practice. The chapter explores the systematic approach to rhetoric as one of the seven liberal arts, detailing the five key steps in speech preparation (inventio, dispositio, elocutio, memoria, pronuntiatio) and the use of commonplaces or loci communes as sources of persuasive arguments. The chapter also touches on the importance of structuring a speech effectively (dispositio) and the use of stylistic devices (figures of diction and tropes) to enhance persuasion and aesthetic appeal. The connection between rhetoric and literature, especially poetry, through grammar is also discussed.
3. Geoffrey Chaucer's rhetorical style: This chapter focuses on Chaucer's skill as a rhetorician, examining the sources and development of his rhetorical expertise. It explores the likely influences of his readings and writing practice on his mastery of rhetoric, suggesting that his profound knowledge was developed through both imitation and application. The chapter potentially discusses specific aspects of Chaucer's style that demonstrate his rhetorical skill, though details are lacking in the provided text. The chapter sets the groundwork for the following analysis of The Parliament of Fowls by establishing Chaucer's established expertise in rhetoric.
Keywords
Medieval rhetoric, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Parliament of Fowls, rhetorical style, persuasion, oral performance, classical rhetoric, figures of speech, tropes, medieval literature.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this language preview?
This preview provides a structured overview of a term paper analyzing the role of rhetoric in the Middle Ages, focusing specifically on Geoffrey Chaucer's rhetorical style in The Parliament of Fowls. It examines Chaucer's use of rhetorical devices and the significance of oral performance in his poetry. The analysis prioritizes the technical aspects of rhetoric over in-depth interpretations of the poem's meaning.
What does the Table of Contents include?
The table of contents includes an introduction, a chapter on rhetoric in the Middle Ages, a chapter on Chaucer's rhetorical style, a chapter specifically analyzing rhetoric in The Parliament of Fowls, and a conclusion.
What are the key objectives and themes explored in the paper?
The paper aims to explore the role of rhetoric in medieval scholarship, contrasting it with modern understandings. It examines medieval rhetorical theory and practice, analyzing Chaucer's mastery of rhetorical techniques and the use of these techniques in The Parliament of Fowls. The importance of oral performance in understanding Chaucer's poetry is also a central theme.
What are the chapter summaries?
The introduction sets the context, highlighting the importance of rhetoric in the Middle Ages and outlining the paper's structure. The second chapter provides a comprehensive overview of medieval rhetoric, covering its origins, key figures, and principles. The third chapter focuses on Chaucer's rhetorical skills and likely influences. The fourth chapter (implied but not fully summarized) would delve into the specific rhetorical devices used in The Parliament of Fowls.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
The keywords include Medieval rhetoric, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Parliament of Fowls, rhetorical style, persuasion, oral performance, classical rhetoric, figures of speech, tropes, and medieval literature.
What is the scope of the analysis in this paper?
The paper primarily focuses on the technical aspects of Chaucer's rhetoric. It avoids in-depth interpretations of the meaning of The Parliament of Fowls, concentrating instead on the rhetorical techniques employed by Chaucer.
What aspects of medieval rhetoric are discussed?
The paper covers the origins of medieval rhetoric in classical antiquity, the key figures (Aristotle, Cicero, Quintilian), the five canons of rhetoric (inventio, dispositio, elocutio, memoria, pronuntiatio), the use of commonplaces, and the connection between rhetoric, literature, and grammar.
How does the paper address the significance of oral performance?
The paper emphasizes the importance of considering the oral nature of Chaucer's poetry when analyzing his rhetorical techniques. The oral delivery would have significantly impacted the effectiveness of his rhetoric.
What is the significance of Geoffrey Chaucer in this study?
Geoffrey Chaucer serves as a central figure for understanding the application of medieval rhetoric in literature. The paper examines his mastery of rhetorical techniques and how he employed them to achieve persuasive and aesthetically pleasing effects in his poetry, specifically in The Parliament of Fowls.
- Quote paper
- Antje Bernstein (Author), 2006, Rhetoric in the Middle Ages: Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Parliament of Fowls', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/71331
