Ignatian Prose: A Study in the Structure and Style of the Letters of Ignatius of Antioch

Abstract

<p>The focus of this thesis is the structure and style of the Letters of Ignatius of Antioch. In particular, we shall propose that the Ignatian corpus is, in fact, composed of two types of letters. The first of these types exhibits a structure that is based not only on the author's theme but also on his use of a handful of specific stylistic techniques. The structure of the second type of letter is based on the themes of the author. In short, our thesis attempts to reconstruct the plans of the letters as they were originally understood by Ignatius. In line with this goal our studies shall take up some of the major stylistic aspects of Ignatian prose.</p>