Examines forms of double meaning, including allusion, ambiguity, innuendo, and courteous phrases used in daily life, politics, and literature. Draws on examples from across the human sciences, from Homer to Shakespeare, Moliere, Proust, Foucault, and others.
"Speeches of praise and blame constituted a form of oratory put to brilliant and creative use in the classical Greek period (fifth to fourth century BC) and the Roman imperial period (first to fourth century AD), and they have influenced public speakers through all the succeeding ages. Yet unlike the other classical genres of rhetoric, epideictic rhetoric remains something of a mystery. It was the least important genre at the start of Greek oratory, but its role grew exponentially in subsequent periods, even though epideictic orations were not meant to elicit any action on the part of the listener, as judicial and deliberative speeches attempted to do. So why did the ancients value the oratory of praise so highly? In Epideictic Rhetoric, Laurent Pernot offers an authoritative overview of the genre that surveys its history in ancient Greece and Rome, its technical aspects, and its social function. He begins by defining epideictic rhetoric and tracing its evolution from its first realizations in classical Greece to its eloquent triumph in the Greco-Roman world. No longer were speeches limited to tribunals, assemblies, and courts—they now involved ceremonies as well, which changed the political and social implications of public speaking. Pernot analyzes the techniques of praise, both as stipulated by theoreticians and as practiced by orators. He describes how epideictic rhetoric functioned to give shape to the representations and common beliefs of a group, render explicit and justify accepted values, and offer lessons on new values. Finally, Pernot incorporates current research about rhetoric into the analysis of praise."--Publisher's description
The book offers insight into Laurent Pernot's role as the executive vice chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago, highlighting his leadership and vision for educational reform. It delves into his strategies for enhancing student success, fostering community engagement, and addressing challenges within urban education. Through his experiences, the narrative explores the impact of effective administration on the college system and the importance of accessibility in higher education.