Irony, rhetoric, and the portrayal of "no place": Construing the elaborate discourse of Thomas More's Utopia

While traditional readings of Thomas More's Utopia have largely relied upon literal interpretations, and accordingly have emphasized the significance of Utopia as a model of the ideal society, this thesis endeavors to explore beyond the conventional or literal appearance of More's language to consider the possible meanings, intentions, and strategies underlying Utopia's elaborate discourse, concentrating specifically on the significance of More's use of humor and irony and his familiarity with the conventions of satiric fiction.