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Christine Hamilton Dissertation.pdf (2.23 MB)

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The Function of the Deus ex Machina in Euripidean Drama

Hamilton, Christine Rose Elizabeth
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8521-7329
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1500421429824731

Abstract Details

2017, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Greek and Latin.
This dissertation explores Euripides’ use of the deus ex machina device in his extant plays. While many scholars have discussed aspects of the deus ex machina my project explores the overall function not only of the deus ex machina within its play but also the function of two other aspects common to deus ex machina speeches: aitia and prophecy. I argue that deus ex machina interventions are not motivated by a problem in the plot that they must solve but instead they are used to connect the world of the play to the world of the audience through use of cult aitia and prophecy. In Chapter 1, I provide an analysis of Euripides’ deus ex machina scenes in the Hippolytus, Andromache, Suppliants, Electra, Ion, Iphigenia in Tauris, Helen, Orestes, Bacchae, and Medea. I argue that in all but the Orestes the intervention does not have a major effect on the plot or characters and I identify certain trends in the function of deus ex machina scenes such as consolation, enhancing Athenian pride, and increasing experimentation in the deus ex machina’s role in respect to the plot of the play and the wider world of myth. In Chapter 2, I examine cult aitia in Euripides’ Hippolytus and Iphigenia in Tauris and argue that Euripides uses cult aitia in plays with strong religious or cultic themes in order to connect the world of the play with the world of the audience through ritual. I also argue against the idea that there is perfect correspondence between the aitia represented in Euripides and real life cult practice instead contending that differences between the aitia in Euripides and our evidence for real cult practice may stem from Euripides referencing real cults but modifying certain aspects in order to better suit his literary motives. In Chapter 3, I examine Euripides’ use of prophecy in his Electra, Helen, and Orestes. Using intertextuality and concepts from media studies I argue that Euripides uses prophecy to connect the world of the play to the world of the audience through myth. Euripides uses deus ex machina prophecy to connect plays which deviate substantially from the mythic tradition back to more established versions of the myth. Euripides links up his versions of a character or myth not only to portrayals by other authors like Aeschylus and Homer, but he also uses prophecy to link his own plays to other plays of his within the same narrative arc.
Dana Munteanu (Advisor)
Sarah Johnston (Committee Member)
Hawkins Thomas (Committee Member)
332 p.
Classical Studies; Literature; Theater
Euripides; deus ex machina; aitia; prophecy; myth; mythology; plurimediality; intertextuality; Greek Tragedy; Tragedy; Greek Drama

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hamilton, C. R. E. (2017). The Function of the Deus ex Machina in Euripidean Drama [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1500421429824731

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hamilton, Christine. The Function of the Deus ex Machina in Euripidean Drama. 2017. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1500421429824731.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hamilton, Christine. "The Function of the Deus ex Machina in Euripidean Drama." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1500421429824731

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1500421429824731
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