Thomas Elyot: Critical Editions of Four Works on Counsel: Doctrinal of Princes, Pasquill the Playne, Of that Knowlage Whiche Maketh a Wise Man, and The Defence of Women

This Volume Provides The First Modern Scholarly Editions Of Four Works On The Rhetoric Of Counsel By Sir Thomas Elyot (1490-1546), Humanist Scholar And Advisor To Henry Viii Of England. The Doctrinal Of Princes , A Translation Of Isocrates’ To Nicocles , And Probably The Earliest English Book Translated Directly From Greek Into English, Consists Of A Collection Of Aphorisms, All Advising Moderation, Addressed To Monarchs. Pasquill The Playne , The First English Pasquinade, Is A Comic Dialogue On The Ethical Challenges Involved In Counseling A Prince. Of That Knowledge Which Maketh A Wise Man Is A Direct Imitation Of A Platonic Dialogue, In Which Plato’s Confrontation With The Sicilian Tyrant Dionysius Is Given Dramatic Form. A Third Dialogue, The Defense Of Good Women , Is The First Printed English Book That Argues For The Moral And Political Equality Of Women To Men. Included In The Volume Are A General Introduction To Elyot’s Life And Political Career, Extensive Critical Introductions To Each Of The Texts, Full Recordings Of The Variations Between Printed Editions, And Substantive Notes. Front Matter -- Copyright Page -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- Thomas Elyot: Life And Work -- Elyot On Rhetoric And Counsel -- Doctrinal Of Princes: Critical Introduction -- Doctrinal Of Princes: Text -- Pasquill The Playne: Critical Introduction -- Pasquill The Playne: Text -- Of That Knowlage Whiche Maketh A Wise Man: Critical Introduction -- Of That Knowlage Whiche Maketh A Wise Man: Text -- The Defence Of Good Woman: Critical Introduction -- The Defence Of Good Woman: Text -- Back Matter -- Bibliography -- Index Of Subjects. Edited By Robert Sullivan, Arthur E. Walzer. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.