Zetzmann, Vanessa
Congratulations on passing the colloquium on 23 March 2020.
Dissertation topic:
"Representation and dramatic functions of rhetorical failure in Attic tragedy."
Doctoral scholarship from the German National Academic Foundation (1 March 2017 - 28 February 2019)
Contact address at the University of Würzburg:
Institute of Classical Philology at the University of Würzburg
Residenzplatz 2A, south wing
97070 Würzburg
First supervisor: Prof. Dr Michael Erler
Second supervisor:
Prof. Dr Gunther Martin (Univ. Zurich)
Class in the graduate school: "Philosophy, Languages, Arts"
Doctorate in the Graduate School from WS 2016/2017.
Abstract:
In the dissertation project, a new kind of question is posed to the surviving texts from the perspective of failing speeches in tragedy, which allows new statements to be made about the use of rhetoric in tragedy. It is intended to contribute to a closer exploration of the implicit rhetoric of Attic tragedy, i.e. the reflection on purposeful, successful speech, since codified didactic rhetoric is lacking, especially at the time of the older tragedy.
To this end, we will first analyse the failed speeches in the tragedies of the three tragedians Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, i.e. speeches in which characters fail in their attempts to persuade other characters. These speeches must offer a comprehensible representation of unsuccessful rhetoric in front of the entire polis as authentically as possible. They are analysed for the reasons for their failure through close reading, both linguistically and stylistically as well as argumentatively. The persuasive function of explicit speech acts of persuasion such as πιθοῦ or of failure such as οὑμοὶ μὲν λόγοι ... φροῦδοι is discussed. Then, the failing speeches are compared in terms of their mode of presentation and function and their criteria are related diachronically. From this, an implicit rhetoric e negativo can be constructed, which will probably show a change between the tragedians. In a second step, the significance and dramatic function of the failing speeches will be analysed, whereby these presumably irritate the audience, stimulate reflection and at the same time convey important information for the plot. In particular, the applicability of modern theories such as Speech Act Theory and Communication Theory will be examined. The result should be a formulation of the rhetoric e negativo of the individual tragedians, which should be turned into a positive outlook and thus contribute to a closer exploration of tragic rhetoric.
