A Stormy Debate

Issue- and Idea-theory in Longus’ Pastoral Trial

Bibliographic Data

ID10285484
AuthorsOlivier Demerre (0000-0002-9003-4698, Ghent University, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume74
Issue3
Pages423-447
Publication date2020-08-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMnemosyne (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0026-7074 • E-ISSN: 1568-525X
PublisherBrill (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1163/1568525x-12342680
OpenAlexW3088478747
LanguageEN
References cited25

This article aims at a better understanding of the trial scene in Longus’ novel Daphnis and Chloe (2.12-19). It argues that Longus capitalises on contemporary rhetorical debates to elaborate on his own literary project. The insertion in Philetas’ verdict of a debated point (the storm) in stasis -theory aims at underlining the discrepancy between the means of persuasion mastered by an uneducated cowherd and by an educated reader. This allows a reflection on the incidence of the displacement of an elite social practice, the trial, into the rustic world of Daphnis and Chloe. This displacement is further emphasised in the trial itself by the juxtaposition of two speeches, one that is artificially simple (the Methymnaians’), and another naturally simple (that of Daphnis). Through this, Longus promotes his own stylistic project. I eventually contend that this scene explores the notion of credibility within Longus’ fictional world

Aesthetics · Art · Credibility · Displacement (psychology · Elite · Epistemology · Linguistics · Literature · Persuasion · Political science · Politics · Psychoanalysis · Rhetoric · Rhetorical question · Simple (philosophy · Sociology · Verdict · Classical Antiquity Studies · Classical Philosophy and Thought · History · Law · Organic Chemistry Synthesis Methods · Philosophy · Psychology

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