Descriptio y pasiones en la teoría de la persuasión de Luis de Granada

Abstract

This article studies the descriptio and the passions in Luis de Granada’s theory of persuasion present in his Libro de la oracion y meditacion (1554) and Retorica eclesiastica (1576). For this purpose, the study inquires into some rhetoric precepts belonging to both the Ancient World and the Reinassance, in order to outline the trajectory of this resource and identify the similarities and differences as compared to the author’s proposal. Furthermore, we analyze the place of the image and vision within Catholic religiosity in the XVI century to understand the importance of the descriptio technique given by Granada’s thinking. Finally, this article reflects upon the relationship between word and image in the Spanish Golden Age, suggesting a reformulation that comes from the distinction between narration and description.