According to the usual definitions of ambiguity and amphiboly in rhetorics, the origin of amphiboly and ambiguity lies in polysemic words and position and intention of the speaker are the distinctive factors in the respect. Questioning this distinction, co-text is introduced as the criterion of differentiating amphiboly from ambiguity and as a result of such discussion a definition is formed which is the base of the arguments of this paper. The concept of multiple signification is considered equal to the application of polysemic words and the stability of semantic ambiguity resulting from multiple signification, is considered as the required condition of considering a case as amphiboly. In search of the possibility of amphiboly in theater de-contextualization of situational contexts, possibility of negation of various signifieds in any of semiotic systems in theater and impossibility of formation of various signifieds in the mind are considered to be the limiting factors.

Keywords: Ambiguity, Amphiboly, Multiple Signification, Sign System, Code

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