Genitiefvariatie als instrument in Coornherts didactische programma. Semantische en stilistische functies van intra-auteur-variatie

This paper investigates the function of genitive variation within plays of D.V. Coornhert (1522-1590): intra-author-variation. Within the field of historical sociolinguistics and literary studies, language variation is no longer simply regarded as a result of situational variables, but also as an effect of strategic use of language, aiming at a stylistic effect. The results of this study show that different genitive constructions were used to express distinct semantic relations. Furthermore, genitive variation was applied to enrich the effects of literary and rhetorical strategies. Used as a didactical tool, genitive variation guided a broad audience to moral perfection.