Seven types of ambiguity william empson pdf Continue Revised twice since its inception, it remains one of the most read and cited works of literary analysis. The ambiguity, empson said, includes any verbal nuances, no matter how insignificant they may be, which makes it possible for alternative reactions to the same piece of language. From this definition, widely enough by his own admission to sometimes see stretched absurdly far away, he launches into a brilliant debate, according to seven classifications of varying complexity and depth, works such as Shakespeare's plays and the poetry of Chaucer, Donn, Marvell, Pope, Wordsworth, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and T.S. Eliot. This article is about a book by William Empson. For Elliot Perlman's novel, see Seven Types of Ambiguity (novel). For the television series, see Seven Types of Ambiguity (series). Seven Types of Ambiguity is a literary work by William Empson, first published in 1930. It was one of the most influential critical works of the 20th century and was a key foundation in the formation of a school of new criticism. The book is organized around seven types of ambiguity that Empson finds in the poetry he criticizes. The second edition (revised) was published by Chatto and Windus, London, 1947, and there was another revised edition in 1953. The first print in America was New Directions in 1947. Seven types of ambiguity have opened up new criticism in the United States. The book is a guide to the style of literary criticism practiced by Empson. The ambiguity is presented as a puzzle for Empson. We have an ambiguity when alternative views can be adopted without simply misreading. Empson reads poetry as a study of conflicts within the author. Seven types of first type of ambiguity is a metaphor, that is, when two things are said to be similar, which have different properties. This concept is similar to metaphysical vanity. Two or more values are solved into one. Empson characterizes this as using two different metaphors at the same time. Two ideas that are connected through context can be given in one word at the same time. Two or more values that do not agree, but in aggregate to clarify the complex state of mind in the author. When the author discovers his idea in writing. Empson describes an analogy that lies halfway between the two statements made by the author. When the statement says nothing, and readers are forced to come up with their own statement, most likely in conflict with the statement of the author. Two words that in context are opposites that expose the fundamental separation in the mind of the author. Inquiries: Sir William Empson, Encyclopedia Britannica 2003 DVD Edition. Donation, Chapter VII of Seven Types of Ambiguity, by William Empson. An archival copy. Archive from the original on October 27, 2009. Extracted maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: maint: The original url status is unknown (link) derived from All Day Evening - The Ambiguity and How Poetry Works ByWilliam Empson was a well-known British literary critic and poet. (Interestingly, he apparently drummed out Magdalene College, Cambridge, for the shocking crime of having condoms in his room. He continued to distinguish himself as writing and for exceptional and insightful literary criticism. His most influential work was his first, Seven Types of Ambiguity, written at the tender age of 22! It's a classic for the reason my whole day evening - The ambiguity and how poetry worksWilliamus Empson was a famous British literary critic and poet. (Interestingly, he apparently drummed out Magdalene College, Cambridge, for the shocking crime of having condoms in his room. He continued to distinguish himself as writing and for exceptional and insightful literary criticism. His most influential work was his first, Seven Types of Ambiguity, written at the tender age of 22! It's a classic for a reason; it sets itself the monumental task of understanding how poetry works - why, when all is done well, it moves us and sticks to us, even though it was written in bygone eras. Why did he go on this journey? Because the inexplicable beauty causes irritation in me, the feeling that it would be a good place to scratch ... And the scratch he does, penning an amazing, overwhelming and at times challenging work that dissects fragments and sections of known and lesser-known works of poetry and plays to find the source of their power. His answer? Ambiguity is any verbal nuance, no matter how insignificant it may be, which provides an opportunity for alternative reactions to the same language. Each written phrase can be read differently depending on this natural ambiguity of the choice of words, the intention of the writer and the social context in which it is read. Because, any word can be either shouted or grunted, so if you only have a word written on paper, you should know not only its meaning, but something about its context before it can tell you whether to grunt or scream. And poetry - compressed and distilled into an almost pure essence - is especially open to interpretation. As he points out... The whole charm of the poem is its extravagant, its unreasonable simplicity. And also because: The requirements of the meter allow the poet to say something that is not normal colloquial English, so that the reader thinks about the various colloquial forms that are next to him, and puts them together; weighing their probabilities in proportion to their proximity. Empson lovingly, cheerfully disconnect poems, try to explain how different kinds of ambiguity fuels all creative activity. His efforts so so detailed, so exhaustive, I found myself occasionally skipping sections. Here's an example that glazed eyes: The ambiguity of the sixth type of tautology (not irrelevance) is likely to fulfill the following rather demanding conditions: there will be a pun that is used twice, once in each sense, and a massive fog of complete ambiguity will arise from doubt as to what meaning goes with which word. But then, for fear of missing the moment, I went back and reread every section I gave a short shrift. And it was worth the double effort, because along with critical ideas, it has some incredible turns of phrase: ... only very sensitive people are as tactless in this matter as the printed page. ... the final decision is a thing that needs to be postponed indefinitely. There is a great danger of triviality in this, because it requires manifestations of ingenuity, such as can be easily used to break out of the consciousness of his ignorance ... And that is why the practice of putting individual words into materialistics for accent (again Victorians are guilty) is so vulgar ...... The statement about the limitations of human life is a kind of recipe for the production of humility, concentration and sincerity in the reader ...... recognize the melancholy of truth in itself, if you can be protected in some way, invigorating activity ... Seven types of ambiguity is a rich and useful read, and a wonderful reminder that - sometimes by intent, sometimes instinct - good writing creates such a deep and powerful world worthy of analysis and introspection. But given the deft, curious mind behind this work, don't think of it as a guide on how to be a better poet. It is still reading a dissertation on particle physics from an outstanding thinker in the field and hoping it will help you change the flat wheel. It may be well worth reading and it will certainly broaden your mind, but it doesn't help if you're stuck on the side of the road. In fact, trying to use ambiguity - in poetry or creative writing - will likely only leave you with an end product that seems banal and obvious and obvious. And William Empson will almost certainly that with a weak but well-turned praise. ... More first published in 1930, seven types of ambiguity have long been recognized as a high in the history of English literary criticism. Revised twice since its inception, it remains one of the most read and cited works of literary analysis. The ambiguity, Mr. Empson said, includes any verbal nuance, no matter how insignificant, allowing for alternative reactions to the same language. Of this definition, quite broadly by his own admission sometimes stretched absurdly far away, he launches into a brilliant discussion, in accordance with seven classifications of varying complexity and depth, such works, among others, Shakespeare plays and poetry by Chaucer, Donna, Marvell, Pope, Wordsworth, G. M. Hopkins and T.S. Eliot. Show all the results separating this topic: GO Show Summary Details Critical Work by W. Empson, published 1930, turnover 1947, 1953; one of the most pleasant and influential offshoots of I. A. Richards' experiments with practical criticism. Empson uses the term ambiguity in an extended sense to refer to any verbal nuance, however insignificant, which gives room for alternative reactions to the same piece of language. The first, or the simplest, type of ambiguity he defines as a simple metaphor, a word or grammatical construct, effective at once in several ways. The second occurs when two or more values are decided into one (like Double Grammar in Shakespeare); the third consists of two distinct values, data at the same time, as in a pun, or, as therefore, in an allegory or pastoral, where more than one universe of discourse is mentioned; the fourth occurs when alternative values are combined to clarify the complex state of mind in the author (with examples of Shakespeare, Donne and G. M. Hopkins); The fifth consists of what Empson calls a happy mix-up, with examples from Shelley and Swinburne suggesting the possibility of that 19th cent.