History of Ambiguity

William Empson's Seven Types of Ambiguity has been a milestone in literary criticism, but the broader trajectory of Western thought about ambiguity before him has been poorly understood. A History of Ambiguity by Anthony Ossa-Richardson explores the many ways in which readers and theorists posited, denied, conceptualized, and argued over the existence of multiple meanings in texts between antiquity and the twentieth century, providing an insight into the foundations of modern criticism and revealing deep resonances between acts of interpretation in disparate eras and contexts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 488 pages
Publication date: 14 December 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Ever since its initial publication in 1930, William Empson's Seven Types of Ambiguity has been regarded as a significant milestone in literary criticism, far from being a hindrance to communication. Instead, ambiguity has come to be seen as a marker of poetic richness and expressive power. However, there has been limited research on the broader trajectory of Western thought about ambiguity before Empson, leading to a poor understanding of his innovation.

A History of Ambiguity aims to rectify this gap. Starting with classical grammar and rhetoric, and progressing to moral theology, law, biblical exegesis, German philosophy, and literary criticism, Anthony Ossa-Richardson delves into the diverse ways in which readers and theorists have posited, denied, conceptualized, and argued over the existence of multiple meanings in texts between antiquity and the twentieth century. This process took on various interconnected forms, ranging from the Renaissance delight in the "elegance of ambiguities in Horace" to the extraordinary Catholic claim that Scripture could contain multiple literal senses, not just allegorical ones. Additionally, the theory of dramatic irony, developed in the nineteenth century, was intertwined with the discoveries of double meanings in Greek tragedy. These narratives are not merely of antiquarian interest; rather, they offer valuable insights into the foundations of modern criticism, revealing deep resonances between acts of interpretation across different eras and contexts.

A History of Ambiguity also exposes the long tradition of efforts to liberate language and even a poet's intention from the strictures of a single meaning. It sheds light on the various strategies employed by readers and theorists to navigate the complexities of ambiguity, from the Renaissance emphasis on the "elegance of ambiguities" to the Catholic belief in the literal interpretation of Scripture. The book also explores the development of dramatic irony, which was closely linked to the recognition of double meanings in Greek tragedy. By examining these narratives, A History of Ambiguity provides a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of Western thought about ambiguity and its profound impact on the art of interpretation.

Weight: 788g
Dimension: 156 x 237 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691228440