Aeschylean Drama and the History of Rhetoric

This dissertation demonstrates how the playwright Aeschylus contributes to the development of ancient Greek rhetoric through his use and display of πειθώ (often translated “persuasion”) throughout the Oresteia, first performed in 458 BCE. In this drama, Aeschylus specifically displays and develops πειθώ as a theme, a goddess, a central principle of action, and an important concept for his audience to consider. By tracing connections between Aeschylus’ innovations with πειθώ and later fifth and early fourth century conceptions of Greek rhetoric, I argue that Aeschylus plays a more important role in the development of practical principles and concepts of the rhetorical art than has been previously acknowledged. Methodologically, in this dissertation I combine word studies and thematic analysis together with examinations of choral narratives and staging, iconographical research on the goddess Peitho, and a close study of Athena’s speeches to the Erinyes (Eu. 778-891) through the lens of Aristotle’s Rhetoric. Through these diverse modes of analysis, this dissertation validates Aeschylus as a conceptually innovative playwright and offers an approach for further examination of early Greek rhetoric through the portrayal of πειθώ in drama

Virtual coaches for healthy lifestyle

Since the introduction of the idea of the software interface agent the question recurs whether these agents should be personified and graphically visualized in the interface. In this chapter we look at the use of virtual humans in the interface of healthy lifestyle coaching systems. Based on theory of persuasive communication we analyse the impact that the use of graphical interface agents may have on user experience and on the efficacy of this type of persuasive systems. We argue that research on the impact of a virtual human interface on the efficacy of these systems requires longitudinal field studies in addition to the controlled short-term user evaluations in the field of human computer interaction (HCI). We introduce Kristina, a mobile personal coaching system that monitors its user’s physical activity and that presents feedback messages to the user. We present results of field trials (N = 60, 7 weeks) in which we compare two interface conditions on a smartphone. In one condition feedback messages are presented by a virtual animated human, in the other condition they are displayed on the screen in text. Results of the field trials show that user motivation, use context and the type of device on which the feedback message is received influence the perception of the presentation format of feedback messages and the effect on compliance to the coaching regime

Prophetic Imagination in the Light of Narratology and Disability Studies in Isaiah 40–48

Analyzes Isaiah 40–48 as a single literary work through levels of speakers (frame and subordinate) with implications for its construction of divine potency and communication

Voice-Based Agents as Personified Things: Assimilation and Accommodation as Equilibration of Doubt

We aim to investigate the nature of doubt regarding voice-based agents by referring to Piaget’s ontological object–subject classification “thing” and “person,” its associated equilibration processes, and influential factors of the situation, the user, and the agent. In two online surveys, we asked 853 and 435 participants, ranging from 17 to 65 years of age, to assess Alexa and the Google Assistant. We discovered that only some people viewed voice-based agents as mere things, whereas the majority classified them into personified things. However, their classification is fragile and depends basically on the imputation of subject-like attributes of agency and mind to the voice-based agents, increased by a dyadic using situation, previous regular interactions, a younger age, and an introverted personality of the user. We discuss these results in a broader context

Paul\u27s Personification of Hope A Historical-Rhetorical Approach to Romans 5:5

Recognized allegory has existed from antiquity to the current times and withstood the vicissitudes of scholarly research. Embedded beneath the realm of the overarching rhetorical device of allegory exists the often recognized yet readily overlooked literary device of personification, the “giving of face” to a concept or an abstract. Once considered the tool of the simple and naïve, it lay in the shadows of rhetorical criticism through the years and is only starting to elicit credible academic research. However, even within the purview of this research, there is a bifurcation of focus between what critics assert is literary personification (giving human attributes to abstract concepts) and figural personification (giving current voice and face to a historical figure who is not present). This is especially apparent in the studies of personification in Paul’s master discourse in Romans 5–8, where academia is replete with his universal personifications of Death, Sin, Wrath, Law (Nomos), Grace, Righteousness, and Wisdom. While these abstracts are well–developed, studies on specific personifications remain conspicuous because of their absence. Against this backdrop, the current study shows that a particular personification is presented prominently in Romans 5:5, where Paul attributes human activity to the abstract noun “hope,” creating a “minor” personification. Notably, he is confronted with the arduous task of explaining the complex concept of a future divine savior embodied in the present reality of Jesus Christ to a mixed audience of Jews and Gentiles with varying cultural ἔθος (“ethos,” mindset based on tradition and culture) and πάθος (“pathos,” emotional attachments or feelings not guided by God). How would the audience have reacted to Paul’s words? Would this apparent “minor” personification allow Paul to bridge the schism between the cultures with a unified theological statement? Paul presents his theological and Christological argument by layering his audience\u27s historical, literary, and cultural realities. These layered concepts are best explained and argued using devices such as personifications. Further, personification is far more effective in terms of clarity and conveyance than explicit theological statements. Yet, there exists a paucity of attention in academia. That is unfortunate as by using this literary device, Paul makes a profound Christological statement, with his thoughts encapsulated in the personification of hope. Therefore, this study argues for Paul to address the underlying cultural and theological ἔθος and πάθος of the Roman Church; he effectively uses the particular personification of hope in Roman 5:5 in his presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

My Son, Listen to the Instruction of Your Father : An Analysis of How the Father’s Rhetoric in Proverbs 1-7 Continues and Climaxes in Proverbs 8-9

Liu, Hsiao-Yung (Samuel) My Son, Listen to the Instruction of Your Father: An Analysis of How the Father Rhetoric in Proverbs 1-7 Continues and Climaxes in Proverbs 8-9. Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2007. 200 pp. This dissertation proposes the thesis that the father\u27s rhetoric in Prov 1-7 continues and climaxes in Prov 8-9, thus supporting the unity of Prov 1-9. Although diverse voices and genres make the reading of Prov 1-9 difficult, there still exists the unifying perspective of the implied speaker in the text, which is the father\u27s rhetoric, Therefore, assuming that one single author or editor completed the current text in Prov 1- 9, this investigation proposes that the Sitz im Leben of the text is family and the speaker is a father, whose rhetoric is the key to a unified reading of Proverbs 1-9. That is, the same person who says directly in the fatherly discourses, My son, listen to the instruction of your father (Prov 1:8; see also 2:1; 3:1; 3:21; 4:10, 20; 5:1; 6:1; 6:20; 7:1) is also the one using the wisdom poems of Proverbs 8-9 to communicate indirectly. In other words, this speaking father uses the figure of personified Wisdom in Prov 8-9 as the rhetorical/imagery device to continue and to climax what he has said in the previous discourses (Prov 1-7) so that the speaker obtains a stronger rhetorical/ persuasive effect upon the listener (the listening son) and makes him listen/obey. In order to find a unity in the text, scholars try to fill the gap made by the difference/ discontinuity of the father\u27s voice (Prov 1-7) and wisdom\u27s voice (Prov 8-9), providing different interpretations in the structure and reading of the text. To explain how the continuity and climax are set up, this study examines the work of both form-redactional critics and feminist critics on Proverbs 1-9. While both offer interesting insights, neither deals adequately with the challenges of the text, particularly in the area of discontinuity ( e.g., the discontinuity existing between the fatherly discourses [Prov 1-7] and the wisdom poems [Prov 8-9]). Responding to the discontinuity and dialoguing with these two methods, this study employs rhetorical criticism to demonstrate how the father\u27s rhetoric in Prov 1-7 continues and climaxes in Prov 8-9, thus creating a unity within the nine chapters. In the content of the dissertation, this study will argue the thesis step by step. Chapter 1 provides a general introduction concerning the setting, assumption, rationale, demarcation and outlines of this dissertation. Chapter 2 gives an overview of the secondary literature regarding form-redactional and feminist criticism, showing how these studies are able to explain the text and structure but are inadequate to approach Prov 1-7 and 8-9 holistically. Chapter 3 is the introduction to the methodology that this study follows. This study uses rhetorical criticism to help prove its thesis. Chapter 4 demonstrates the rhetorical strategies concerning how this study develops the rationale in this thesis. Chapter 5 investigates the structure and content arrangement of the father\u27s rhetoric in the compositional dimension, in which symmetry and repetition are the two principles used to investigate the inclusio, center, chiasmus, contrast, and climax of the text. Chapter 6 deals with the persuasive dimension, particularly with the stylistic elements, the speaker\u27s ethos, the listener\u27s pathos and imagery devices. Chapter 7 presents the conclusions of this study based on all that has gone before. The thesis that the father\u27s rhetoric in Prov 1-7 continues and climaxes in Prov 8-9 will be confirmed

Performing Femininity: Gender in Ancient Greek Myth

Senior Project submitted to The Division of Languages and Literature of Bard Colleg

Narrative, intersectionality and argumentative discourse

In this paper I argue that a “use-based” approach to narrative and narrative arguments provides the kind of conceptual architecture necessary for developing a much-needed intersectional analysis of arguers’ identities, their arguments, and the contexts that inform their positions. Without such an approach, we risk coming away with an understanding of narrative argument that, at best, fails to capture its dynamism, or, worse yet, risks being conditioned on methodologically ethnocentric grounds