How does Lysias make the narrative section of his speech dramatic and exciting?

1. How does Lysias make the narrative section of his speech dramatic and exciting? A journey through space, time and the very fabric of Against Eratosthenes

2. I. STYLE

3. 1. Historic presents • Eg. “katalambanousin”, “e)rwtwsin” (§12), “katalambanomen” (§13), “paradidoasin” (§8), “pempw” (§16) et al. • Adds emphasis, vividness, immediacy; makes the narrative dramatic and exciting

4. 2. Anacolouthon • Eg. in §15, “e)an de lhfqw, h(goumhn men…” • Adds emphasis; makes the narrative seem natural and improvised; makes the narrative seem dramatic and exciting

5. 3. Short clauses • Eg. §15: “enqumoumen% o(ti, e)an men laqw, swqhsomai, e)an de lhfqw, h(goumhn men, ei)…” • Adds emphasis; makes the narrative seem fast-paced and animated; makes the narrative seem dramatic exciting.

6. 4. Superlatives • Eg. §9 “a)nagkaiotaton” • Addj emfasisotatoj! Demonstratej strengq and ectremitU of feeling! Makej qe narratife seem dramatikotatoj and ecsitingotatoj

7. 5. Lack of emotive diction • Very rarely does Lysias employ any emotive diction at all during the diegesis. This ensures his narrative is made to seem unbiased, and that when he does use it (eg. §19: “a)plhstian kai ai)sxrokerdeian”, it has huge impact

8. 6. Tricolons • Eg. §23: “a)dikoumenoj. . .e)camartaneiv. . .e)cuphretwn” • This rhetorical topos makes the narrative dramatic and exciting.

9. II. CONTENT

10. 7. The three doors. • §16: “triwn de qurwn ouswn, a(j e)dei me dielqein” • The inclusion of this vivid detail makes the narrative seem truly remembered, and makes the narrative dramatic and exciting

11. 8. Direct accusation of Eratosthenes • §23: “ton a)delfon gar mou. . .Eratosqenhj a)pekteinen” • Adding this direct accusation for the first time, at the climax of the diegesis (separated into its own short clause for emphasis) Lysias ensures his case is clear, and helps make the narrative dramatic and exciting

12. 9. Women’s clothing • §19 “i(matia gunaikeia” & “xrusouj e(likthraj” • Highlights the greed of the 30; they are prepared to take even women’s clothing. Once again, the inclusion of such a vivid detail helps make the narrative dramatic and exciting

13. 10. The shed • §18: “kleision” • The inclusion of this vivid detail highlights the sordid greed and spiteful frugality of the 30, making the narrative even more dramatic and exciting

14. III. CONCLUSION

15. Through a combination of these techniques, Lysias is successful in making his narrative dramatic and exciting. WELL DONE LYSIAS!!!