Ever since it was first published in 1930, William Empson’s Seven Types of Ambiguity has been perceived as a milestone in literary criticism—far from being an impediment to communication, ambiguity now seemed an index of poetic richness and expressive power. Little, however, has been written on the broader trajectory of Western thought about ambiguity before Empson; as a result, the nature of his innovation has been poorly understood. A History of Ambiguity remedies this omission. Starting with classical grammar and rhetoric, and moving on to moral theology, law, biblical exegesis, German philosophy, and literary criticism, Anthony Ossa-Richardson explores the many ways in which readers and theorists posited, denied, conceptualised, and argued over the existence of multiple meanings in texts between antiquity and the twentieth century. This process took on a variety of interconnected forms, from the Renaissance delight in the ‘elegance’ of ambiguities in Horace, through the extraordinary Catholic claim that Scripture could contain multiple literal—and not just allegorical—senses, to the theory of dramatic irony developed in the nineteenth century, a theory intertwined with discoveries of the double meanings in Greek tragedy. Such narratives are not merely of antiquarian interest: rather, they provide an insight into the foundations of modern criticism, revealing deep resonances between acts of interpretation in disparate eras and contexts. A History of Ambiguity lays bare the long tradition of efforts to liberate language, and even a poet’s intention, from the strictures of a single meaning.

Explores Tillich's influence as a groundbreaking thinker who illuminated the boundaries between philosophy and theology

The Persistence of History examines how the moving image has completely altered traditional modes of historical thought and representation. Exploring a range of film and video texts, from The Ten Commandments to the Rodney King video, from the projected work of documentarian Errol Morris to Oliver Stone's JFK and Spielberg's Schindler's List, the volume questions the appropriate forms of media for making the incoherence and fragmentation of contemporary history intelligible.

This notable study of Christian faith and how it functions in "dark times" reveals the thoughts and actions of six leading theologians of the Weimar Republic/Third Reich period--Karl Barth, Rudolf Bultmann, Paul Tillich, Paul Althaus, Emanuel Hirsch, and Friedrich Gogarten--and what prompted them to either resist or support the Nazi movement. Jack Forstman examines the theological values of these theologians and considers the interconnectedness among them; their easy, uneasy, and shifting alliances with each other; and the controversies that arose within their circle. His book provides a fascinating glimpse into an important moment in the history of Christian theology. It will stimulate contemporary Christians to think how they might recognize the demonic in society and resist it.

Uncover the Mysteries of Medieval England with Our Captivating Book Bundle Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the annals of time? Dive into the captivating world of Medieval England, where legends, conquests, and monastic mysteries await your exploration. Our exclusive book bundle, "Medieval England: Legends, Conquests, and Monastic Mysteries," offers you a front-row seat to the epic saga of a bygone era. Book 1: Knights of the Round Table: Legends of Arthur's Court (5th-6th Century) Step into the realm of King Arthur and the valiant knights of the Round Table. This volume transports you to a mythical world where chivalry, honor, and quests for the Holy Grail come to life. Whether you're a fan of Arthurian legends or a newcomer to this timeless lore, this book promises to awaken your imagination and immerse you in a world of heroism and enchantment. Book 2: The Norman Conquest: 1066 and the Birth of a New England (11th Century) Witness history in the making as the Norman Conquest reshapes England's destiny. Join the ranks of William the Conqueror's knights and explore the clash of cultures, the construction of formidable castles, and the emergence of a vibrant new English identity. This volume unveils the epic tale of conquest and transformation that laid the foundation for the England we know today. Book 3: Medieval Monastic Life: A Glimpse Into The Cloistered World (12th-14th Century) Step behind the cloistered walls of medieval monasteries and witness the lives of devoted monks and nuns. Delve into their world of prayer, contemplation, and the preservation of knowledge. This volume offers a rare glimpse into the mysteries of monastic existence and the profound impact these communities had on the intellectual and spiritual heritage of Europe. Book 4: The Wars of the Roses: England's Dynastic Struggle (15th Century) Prepare for a thrilling journey through the tumultuous 15th century, where the Houses of Lancaster and York vie for the English crown. Through epic battles, political intrigues, and the rise of the Tudors, you'll witness the relentless pursuit of power that shaped the destiny of a nation. This volume unveils the gripping drama of dynastic struggle that still echoes in the annals of history. Why Choose Our Book Bundle? · Comprehensive Exploration: This bundle offers a comprehensive exploration of medieval England, spanning from Arthurian legends to the Wars of the Roses, allowing you to traverse the entire medieval landscape. · Expertly Crafted: Each book is meticulously researched and expertly written by seasoned historians and authors, ensuring a rich and immersive reading experience. · Timeless Stories: These tales of heroism, conquest, and devotion have stood the test of time and continue to captivate readers of all ages. · Convenient and Cost-Effective: Purchasing this bundle grants you access to all four volumes at a discounted price, making it a cost-effective way to embark on your medieval adventure. Don't miss your chance to embark on a remarkable journey through the pages of "Medieval England: Legends, Conquests, and Monastic Mysteries." Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of legends, or a seeker of captivating stories, this bundle promises to transport you to a world where the past comes alive in all its splendor and complexity. Order your bundle today and step into the enchanting world of medieval England!

Affect and Belonging in Political Uses of the Past examines key political events of the past decade, to analyse the relationship between the representation of certain pasts in ‘official’ heritage settings and the use of the same pasts in political discourse. Drawing on data gathered from museums, heritage sites, news articles, political speeches, manifestos, and through digital media such as Twitter, Farrell-Banks demonstrates how a connection with a shared past can move people emotionally and give them the confidence to engage in political action. The book considers how heritage and the past moves in time and space, examining how it shapes political beliefs and action in the present. The work is a timely intervention, calling attention to the political responsibilities that come with heritage work, when these same languages of heritage are adopted to promote a politics of division. Introducing the concept of the ‘moving moment’, a framework by which to research and understand uses of the past, the book demonstrates how the past becomes a potent political tool. Combining critical heritage studies, critical discourse, memory studies, and political theory, the book demonstrates new approaches to interdisciplinary studies within heritage. Affect and Belonging in Political Uses of the Past will thus be essential reading for academics and students engaged in the study of heritage, memory, politics, history, and media.

Design and the Question of History is not a work of Design History. Rather, it is a mixture of mediation, advocacy and polemic that takes seriously the directive force of design as an historical actor in and upon the world. Understanding design as a shaper of worlds within which the political, ethical and historical character of human being is at stake, this text demands radically transformed notions of both design and history. Above all, the authors posit history as the generational site of the future. Blindness to history, it is suggested, blinds us both to possibility, and to the foreclosure of possibilities, enacted through our designing. The text is not a resolved, continuous work, presented through one voice. Rather, the three authors cut across each other, presenting readers with the task of disclosing, to themselves, the commonalities, repetitions and differences within the deployed arguments, issues, approaches and styles from which the text is constituted. This is a work of friendship, of solidarity in difference, an act of cultural politics. It invites the reader to take a position – it seeks engagement over agreement.

Cultural Secrets as Narrative Form: Storytelling in Nineteenth-Century America examines the interplay between the familiar and the forgotten in tales of America's first century as a nation. By studying both the common concerns and the rising tensions between the known and the unknown, the told and the untold, this book offers readers new insight into the making of a nation through stories. Here, identity is built not so much through the winnowing competition of perspectives as through the cumulative layering of stories, derived from sources as diverse as rumors circulating in early patriot newspapers and the highest achievements of aesthetic culture. And yet this is not a source study: the interaction of texts is reciprocal, and the texts studied are not simply complementary but often jarring in their interrelations. The result is a new model of just how some of America's central episodes of self-definition -- the Puritan legacy, the Revolutionary War, and the Western frontier -- have achieved near mythic force in the national imagination. The most powerful myths of national identity, this author argues, are not those that erase historical facts but those able to transform such facts into their own deep resources. Book jacket.