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timepiececlockI got into a mini-debate with my History of Western Civ professor today.
The topic: Greek tragedies
The point of discussion: Is irony a recognizable element or theme in Greek tragedies, literarily speaking?
I say yes. He didn't really see how irony was part of the tragedy formula.
I brought up Oedipus. The guy leaves his family for fear of killing his father and ends up killing his father anyway, because "father" it turns out is a debateable word. And his parents sent him away for fear of him killing his father only to have him grow up and kill him in circumstances resulting from sending him away.
How is that stuff anything BUT ironic?
Also, the fact that the Greek Tragic Hero's tragic flaw is also typically his greatest virtue/asset is in itself ironic. It's an irony built into the nature of Greek tragedy.
I ended up telling him that yes, Greek tragedies usually include literary irony. He asked if I could elaborate.
Here's where my rolling ball dropped like a bomb and my memory failed me.
I could only remember one type of literary irony, and I distinctly remember being taught in many lit classes that there were at least 3 or 4 categories of irony in literature. I told him I couldn't remember. He said that when I did he'd be interested in hearing more, and could I bring a list?
I said I definitely would. And then he went back to teaching and half of the rest of the class gave me a weird look.
Here's how you can help!
What are the forms of irony in literature?
The only one I can remember at the moment is when the audience knows what the characters do not know.
I know there are more types. Y'all are well-read folks. Help?
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thisficklemob, evemac, spicedrum and pepperlandgirl4, you gals kick ass. Thank for the help! I've got a veritable arsenal to take with me to class on Monday. I am *so* going to win this discussion. I already have; he just doesn't know it yet.
The topic: Greek tragedies
The point of discussion: Is irony a recognizable element or theme in Greek tragedies, literarily speaking?
I say yes. He didn't really see how irony was part of the tragedy formula.
I brought up Oedipus. The guy leaves his family for fear of killing his father and ends up killing his father anyway, because "father" it turns out is a debateable word. And his parents sent him away for fear of him killing his father only to have him grow up and kill him in circumstances resulting from sending him away.
How is that stuff anything BUT ironic?
Also, the fact that the Greek Tragic Hero's tragic flaw is also typically his greatest virtue/asset is in itself ironic. It's an irony built into the nature of Greek tragedy.
I ended up telling him that yes, Greek tragedies usually include literary irony. He asked if I could elaborate.
Here's where my rolling ball dropped like a bomb and my memory failed me.
I could only remember one type of literary irony, and I distinctly remember being taught in many lit classes that there were at least 3 or 4 categories of irony in literature. I told him I couldn't remember. He said that when I did he'd be interested in hearing more, and could I bring a list?
I said I definitely would. And then he went back to teaching and half of the rest of the class gave me a weird look.
Here's how you can help!
What are the forms of irony in literature?
The only one I can remember at the moment is when the audience knows what the characters do not know.
I know there are more types. Y'all are well-read folks. Help?
EDIT:
thisficklemob, evemac, spicedrum and pepperlandgirl4, you gals kick ass. Thank for the help! I've got a veritable arsenal to take with me to class on Monday. I am *so* going to win this discussion. I already have; he just doesn't know it yet.
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no subject
Date: 2004-06-16 11:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-06-17 08:17 am (UTC)I say I only mostly back him There is after all nothing wrong with interpting the play as "ironic", i just think it si only so to the modern mind.