CLGR 407(F) Rhetoric and Democracy: the Greek Orators
The Greek orators of the 4th-century BCE have left us a rich and varied body of work. They were specialists in rhetoric and persuasive discourse, and in the deployment of the one to produce the other. They wrote forensic oratory intended to sway juries, often with little reference to the facts of the case; political speeches with which they argued policy before the Athenian Assembly and aspired to be the city's leaders; attack speeches which they hoped would destroy their rivals; and show pieces intended to dazzle the listener with their rhetorical brilliance. Political careers were launched not by the noble birth and military success that were so important in the previous century, but by high-profile prosecutions won by oratorical prowess. In their own words, the most influential orators of 4th-century Athens will instruct us in rhetoric, demonstrate the stylistic versatility of the Greek language, teach us about what Athenians in the 4th century cared about, reveal theories of human psychology, and persuade us of a thing or two. We will read selected speeches by Lysias, Aeschines, and Demosthenes, as well as portions of speeches by other orators such as Isocrates, Antiphon, and Dinarchus.
Format: seminar. Evaluation will be based on class translation and discussion, several short exercises, a midterm, a final paper, and a final translation exam.
Prerequisites: Greek 201 or permission of instructor. Enrollment limit: 12 (expected: 6).
Hour: CHRISTENSEN