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Prayer and Pragmatic Speech Acts in Greek Poetry

Caliva, Kathryn M
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1542322753932214

Abstract Details

2018, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Greek and Latin.
This dissertation is a study of pragmatic speech acts and narrative authority in Greek poetry focused on prayer, prophecy, and myth. The project treats the poems of Sappho and Pindar, the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, and a selection of Euripides' tragedies using a theoretical model that combines elements of speech act theory, pragmatics, and narratology. The central question of the dissertation is how a speaker generates authority for a speech act in order to bring about a desired effect upon the audience. I argue that poetic speakers generate authority for their speech acts by demonstrating their knowledge of mythic narratives, their facility in interpreting those narratives, and their ability to communicate efficaciously with gods. This demonstration of religious and cultural knowledge allows speakers to present themselves as competent and efficacious speakers as they attempt to exert influence over the behavior and emotions of their audience. I argue further that this is a complex rhetorical strategy in line with pragmatic speech in other contexts, including inscribed prayers, magical texts, and religious ritual.
Sarah Iles Johnston (Advisor)
Benjamin Acosta-Hughes (Committee Member)
Thomas Hawkins (Committee Member)
220 p.
Ancient Languages; Literature; Religion; Rhetoric

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Caliva, K. M. (2018). Prayer and Pragmatic Speech Acts in Greek Poetry [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1542322753932214

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Caliva, Kathryn. Prayer and Pragmatic Speech Acts in Greek Poetry. 2018. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1542322753932214.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Caliva, Kathryn. "Prayer and Pragmatic Speech Acts in Greek Poetry." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1542322753932214

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1542322753932214
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.