Question 2. How did the Rhapsodes perform" Does it make any difference if they sand or spoke their texts? Why do you think this issue is raised by these Hargis and Bahn in their articles?
The rhapsodes performed by means of oral poetry. This meant a variety of things, either singing, telling jokes or just telling the story. The Rhapsodes also used variations of improvising to create their stories to illustrate the story.
While they are known as oral poets, they are best known for singing. This is not to say that they only sang, (See statement above) but the variation of technique allowed for a number of good things to happen. Singing, or speaking in a melodic tone, while nice to hear, is easy to remember and engaging to the audience. Also, singing, as opposed to just "saying the text" allows for a stronger comprehension of an entertainment value. If the text were just spoken, it reads alot like a lecture.
Question 3. What was the function of the Rhapsode in Greek Society? Whose interests were served by this performance format?
The purpose of the Rhapsode is to serve and inform the masses. In BC, (Before Cable) there was only one way to gain information and to be entertained. The Rhapsodes served the purpose of both, being both news caster and entertainer in the same time.
While many benefited from the work of the Rhapsodes, they are best suited for the general public. The public, who may not be as educated as the higher class, received their informaiton his way. While it can be noted that they used the rhapsodes to deliver information to the public, it appears that the upper classes could stand to benefit from this format in terms of controlling what the general public knows.
I keep looking at your last statement on question 3. I'm interested by the fact that the upper class could control the Rhapsodes. They seemed to value honesty and truth over all else, leaning them towards ethical honesty as well.
ReplyDeleteWhile it wouldn't surprise me that some could be bought out, per se, it would surprise me to think that the upper class was controlling the flow of information in a significant way.
#2- Though we do not have records of how the rhapsodes truely performed, a strong census leads us to believe that the group "sang" in a chant-like manner. I believe that this method was utilized as a way to remember the text. The Greek era placed great emphasis on memorization; consequently, all pieces of performance were to be retained.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, a rhetor that can memorize a work may be more convincing, as memory is one of the 5 cannons of rhetoric. Thus, because Rhapsodes represented the "status quo", they may have used memory as a means to persuade their audience (the uneducated public) in favor of the elite. Hmm... Kind of reminds me of a public news source today....
It seems to me that the Rhapsodes were as much an integral part of Greek democracy as they were many other things. The autonomy with which they operated along with their fierce sense of integrity and inter-competitiveness were surely pillars of a democratic, informed society in an age without mass media or any medium at all for that matter. The Rhapsodes must have been the cohesive element in society that perpetuated Greek pride, history and tradition. The Greek Rhapsode was as much a source of inspiration and purpose for citizens as they were at the same time, a source of introspection for the citizen who longed to know "What is a Greek?"
ReplyDeleteYou make good points, but these answers need to be longer. Give examples. Make connections to contemporary performers. Also, you know how I hate people to just say that performance entertains. Of course it does, but what else? Why are certain types of performance so amusing to rich people or poor people or drunk people?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your thoughts. As a dual response to your essay as well as Jill's comment, I'd agree with you in that "the upper class could control the Rhapsodes." While, yes Jill, I understand the values of truth and honesty were placed at an utmost importance, history has consistently shown the rich contain the control in society. Whether it be as a historical hierarchy, in the Church, or in government, the power and control in society has remined in the hands of the wealthy. For this reason, it is not suprising to me to learn they also maintained a signifigant amount of control with the Rhapsodes.
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