The Renaissance saw a renewed and energetic engagement with classical rhetoric; recent years have seen a similar revival of interest in Renaissance rhetoric. As Renaissance critics recognised, figurative language is the key area of intersection between rhetoric and literature. This book is the first modern account of Renaissance rhetoric to focus solely on the figures of speech. It reflects a belief that the figures exemplify the larger concerns of rhetoric, and connect, directly or by analogy, to broader cultural and philosophical concerns within early modern society. Thirteen authoritative contributors have selected a rhetorical figure with a special currency in Renaissance writing and have used it as a key to one of the period's characteristic modes of perception, forms of argument, states of feeling or styles of reading.

'… this is an outstanding contribution to the subject - the most rewarding book about rhetoric I have ever read and a very fine tribute to the late Jeremy Maule, in whose memory it was conceived.' Neil Rhodes, Review of English Studies
'… this collection is an excellent introduction to Renaissance rhetoric and its significance for early modern thinking and writing.' Stephen B. Dobranski, Studies in English Literature 1500–1900
'… this collection's innovative focus and scholarly precision make for a necessary addition to Renaissance rhetorical and literary studies.' Melissa Hudler, Early Modern Literary Studies
'This is one of the most important works on Renaissance rhetoric to be published in recent years … Summing up: highly recommended.' D. W. Hayes, Choice
'… meticulously edited … it shows how valuable a knowledge of rhetoric can be in understanding how literature used to be written, and read.' Brian Vickers, The Times Literary Supplement

Sylvia Adamson is Professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Sheffield and Chair of Renaissance Studies in the School of English. Gavin Alexander is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of English, University of Cambridge, and Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge. Katrin Ettenhuber is Fellow and Lecturer in English at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and a Newton Trust Lecturer in the Faculty of English, University of Cambridge.