A History of Ambiguity

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Since its 1930 publication, William Empson’s Seven Types of Ambiguity has been recognized as a landmark in literary criticism, suggesting that ambiguity signifies poetic richness rather than hindrance to communication. However, the broader historical context of Western thought on ambiguity prior to Empson has been largely overlooked, leaving his innovation poorly understood. A History of Ambiguity addresses this gap by tracing the evolution of ideas surrounding multiple meanings in texts from classical grammar and rhetoric to moral theology, law, biblical exegesis, German philosophy, and literary criticism. Anthony Ossa-Richardson examines how readers and theorists have engaged with ambiguity throughout history, from the Renaissance appreciation of Horace's elegant ambiguities to the Catholic assertion that Scripture holds multiple literal meanings. He also discusses the development of dramatic irony in the nineteenth century, linked to the discovery of double meanings in Greek tragedy. These narratives are not merely historical; they illuminate the foundations of modern criticism and reveal connections between interpretation across different eras and contexts. A History of Ambiguity uncovers the longstanding tradition of seeking to free language and a poet’s intention from the confines of a singular meaning.