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FILOSOFIA DE LA ELOQUENCIA: A RHETORIC OF THE SPANISH ENLIGHTENMENT
Abstract
Filosofia de la Eloquencia by Antonio de Capmany is evidence that the enlightened thinking characteristic of other European countries also could be found in Spain during the latter quarter of the eighteenth century. Capmany's theory of eloquence was not a restatement or compendium of classical doctrine. Capmany did rely on the rhetorical theorists of antiquity, but he was not a relic of the past. He wrote about the innovations in rhetorical theory which were current at the time, he utilized modern terminology and reflected some understanding of their ideas. It must be admitted, however, that Capmany was not an innovator himself. He did not introduce any new rhetorical ideas even into Spain. Capmany's rhetorical theory is interesting in that it seems to be a collage of classical, Ramistic, stylistic, and modern concepts and notions. It is interesting also because there does not appear to be a rhetoric quite like it elsewhere. None of his ideas are unique, but the way in which he combines them are indeed unique. This study confirms that ideas of the British and French Enlightenment made their way into and found currency in Spain. This study also indicates that when Ramism was on the wane in other part of Europe, a leading literary figure and rhetorical theorist in Spain defined rhetoric in much the same way as did Ramus.
Subject Area
Theater
Recommended Citation
WILBANKS, CHARLES LIONEL, "FILOSOFIA DE LA ELOQUENCIA: A RHETORIC OF THE SPANISH ENLIGHTENMENT" (1983). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8328204.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8328204