Abstract
St, Augustine was firmly grounded In classical tradition yet the powerful Influence of rhetoric on literature resulted in his use of vivid and picturesque modes of expression. |In the "De Beata Vita" this picturesqueness is attained partly by the use of diminutives, which suggest familiar things; partly by homely words which make vivid the daily life of his young pupils and by the frequent use of rhetorical figures. |The figures of speech in this essay form a vital part in its development and are an aid to a clear understanding of the subject matter proposed. |The purpose of this study is to investigate St, Augustine’s use of the major figures of speech in the "De Beata Vita." |The rhetorical figures checked for this thesis are metaphor, metonymy, simile, personification and hyperbole. |The figures checked were listed in the order in which they occur in each chapter. No attempt was made to group them according to their content. |The sentences In many instances are long, so phrases or clauses containing the rhetorical figures are stated, instead of the entire sentence. |The following texts have been used: Ruth Allison Brown; P. E. Tourscher, O.S.A. Other works are given in the bibliography.