Euphuism, a literary style popular in 16th century England, is characterized by excessive use of antitheses, flowery language, and alliteration. The narrative is of little importance, serving as a framework for showcasing interesting topics and interactions. The style influenced Shakespeare and was popular in other European countries but died out after the 16th century.
In the late 1500s, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, English society developed an interest in a literary style known as euphuism. Drawing on a complex array of literary techniques and verbal elements, this particular style of English prose was intended to entertain through artificial eloquence and ornate language. A key feature of euphuism is the prominent and excessive use of antitheses—the contrast, contradiction, or opposition of ideas—whether or not each antithesis makes sense. More important than plot or setting, Euphuism is about balancing cadence, sentence length, and how sounds within words and sentences match.
As a style of writing, Euphuism takes its name from the character Euphues, who appears in a number of published works by the English writer John Lyly. Lyly first published Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit in 1578. Then, in 1580, he published Euphues and His England. Both works demonstrated a particularly elaborate choice of literary devices, including antithesis, rhetoric and alliteration, to provide precise verbal meter or cadence when read aloud. Members of English society loved Lyly’s writing so much that the style quickly became popular with other writers of the time.
The antithesis is central to the euphuistic writing style, as well as the rhetorical language. Like rhetoric, euphuism is known for its elaborate and flowery language. Unlike rhetoric, with its tendency towards insincerity and empty ideas, euphuism seeks to highlight knowledge of classical literature and science. Alliteration, the use of repetitive initial word sounds within a sentence, is also prominent in this particular style. All the literary devices employed in a work of Euphuism are used to willful excess, with whole sentences of nonsense masquerading as elaborate speech.
The euphuistic style is characterized by sentences of equal length, balance and sound correspondence, but the narrative involved was considered, in Elizabethan times, of little importance. The storylines, character development, and settings were rated as nothing more than a framework to showcase more interesting topics and interactions. Instead, as members of the Renaissance era, fashionable society was more interested in having conversations and getting to know each other serve as entertainment. This preference was especially true with regards to matters of love or romance – a favored subject in euphuism.
England isn’t the only culture to enjoy such elaborate and overly elaborate writing styles. Spain and other European countries enjoyed similar works towards the end of the 16th century. While popular throughout Europe, euphuism is strictly a 16th-century style. Though never popular again after the 16th century, euphoric plays influenced the likes of William Shakespeare and provided satirical material for Walter Scott.
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