This thesis traces prima facie references to ancient Cynicism in a wide range of French texts from the mid-sixteenth to the early-seventeenth century. Cynicism, a popular philosophical movement in antiquity, was transmitted through a diverse tradition of sayings and anecdotes. The tradition presents the Cynics, and particularly Diogenes of Sinope, turning their lives into humorous and scandalous philosophical performances. By focusing on prima facie representations of Cynicism, I show how early modern writers understood and used Cynic performance for their own purposes. Part I of the thesis is devoted to early modern repositories of Cynicism. I establish the nature and availability of ancient and Medieval sources, and how they are used in neo-Latin and vernacular collections of sayings, miscellanies and encyclopedias. Adaptation and invention of Cynic sayings in collections show how the Cynic tradition encourages improvisation. The discursive treatment of miscellanies illustrates the diverse associations of Cynicism, from idealized, Christian portrayals to titillating discussion of Cynic public sex. Part II concentrates on more developed and playful use of Cynicism. Rabelais uses Cynicism, notably in the prologue of the Tiers Livre, to identify his work with carnival, and to raise the question of the writer's role in society. Paradoxes exploit Cynic performance, which is eminently paradoxical and thereby serves to reveal the scope of early modern paradoxes. The key Cynic practices of shamelessness and freedom of speech are used by early modern authors to raise shocking questions about morality and the body, and to articulate opposition to the status quo. Cynicism stands for a radically free and humorous way of life, which is used by early modern writers to raise strange ideas in seriocomic ways. This thesis fills a gap in intellectual and literary history by providing readings of a large number of little-known texts which allow for new perspectives upon canonical works
