Impact of Rhetoric on the Scientific Concepts in the Tamil Epic Manimegalai

Abstract

‘Rhetoric’ is the common word given for both theoretical studies and literary criticism. Since the ancient period itself rhetoric is used in literature, but it entwined with literary theory and literary criticism only in 20th century. The controversy between the rhetoric and science dates back to thousand years. Rhetoric should be based on science was the main idea of Aristotle and Cicero who formally defined rhetoric their works. This article shows the relationship between rhetoric and science and how both these are linked in the Tamil literature. It also brings out the impact of rhetoric in science through the Tamil text ‘Manimegalai’.