'What sholde I make a lenger tale of this?' Linguistic and Stylistic Analysis of Rhetorical Questions in the Canterbury Tales

Author / Editor
Maíz Arévalo, Carmen.

Title
'What sholde I make a lenger tale of this?' Linguistic and Stylistic Analysis of Rhetorical Questions in the Canterbury Tales

Published
SELIM 15 (2008): 39-60.

Description
Maíz Arévalo describes the functions of rhetorical questions and assesses their uses in CT, where the device is linked to "heigh style" (Harry Bailey's term) and specific genres. Rhetorical questions are used to express and elicit emotion, to suspend action, and to reinforce climactic moments.

Chaucer Subjects
Style and Versification
Canterbury Tales--General