Colors; Poulakos' affection for Symposium

As the character colors will be listed on the program, don't bother to paint your character's name on the sash. If you've already done so, just flip the sash to the other side. We decided that the base toga color with be white/white-ish.

Colors by character:

Agathon (purple sash): Alex Gluhovsky & Kirsten Sabares-Klemm

Alcibiades (black): Joey Ammendola, Dana Haakensen, & John Hanish

Aristophanes (red): Trevor Burke & Andy Marshall

Eryximachus (blue): Leah Milton & Mike Oas

Flute-girls/Diotima (pink): Juvie Jean-Baptiste, Miranda Kingan, & Carron Mitchell

Pausanias (orange): Jenna Graham & Elysia Korinko

Phaedrus (yellow): Colin Esgro

Servant: Jon Webster

Socrates (sage green): Carey Casile & Kay Oyegun


Summary
(Written by Prof. John Poulakos)

One of Plato’s greatest dialogues, the Symposium is a series of epideictic speeches at a dinner party. The theme of the speeches is eros in all its manifestations, from the lowest to the highest.
Unveiling and interpreting something of the mystery of life, the Symposium combines competitive eloquence, casual talk, satiric wit, and high poetic rapture with unparalleled virtuosity.
The theoretical material in this dialogue in adumbrated for only an exalted moment in convivial talk. Through the glow of Plato’s poetic speculation, we get a glimpse of a whole way of life, not simply a theory. A progress toward perfect enlightenment is commended to all who have opened their eyes wide enough to see that they walk in the shade of ignorance.

Paper, rehearsal

Hi there, symposiasts,

Tomorrow in recitation (march 29), I'll provide a how-to that should help you with writing your paper. Sorry I didn't post one here earlier.

Also, as tomorrow is evaluation day, we may not make it all the way through the script. My apologies. However, as recompense, I will lend 2-3 hours of my time the weekend before your play to help you all put some polish on the thing.

And, finally, an observation gleaned from last week's rehearsal: most of you are READING your parts. Do not READ your part. Not reading, of course, requires getting familiar with your part. DO SO! Time is limited, so don't use class time to work out all your tongue-ties. Reading your part on the big day will drastically, horribly maim your grade.

Paper Prompt (45 pts.)

Prompt as presented in Poulakos's syllabus: "A 5-6 page paper discussing the ways in which some rhetorical concepts function within the play that you will be assigned." --> 45/200 points

Prompt as particularly designed for you, Symposiasts: With the text explicitly in mind (and the context of its writing implicitly so), write a 5-6 page paper (with standard margins) about how the following terms play/interplay in Plato's "Symposium":

1) elenchus: aggressive argumentative exchange and cross-examination.
2) enargia: clear, vivid description that acts to bring a thing or situation before the eyes.
3) aetiologia: giving a cause or reason.

These terms (and longer definitions of them) can be found in Richard Lanham's excellent little reference book "A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms." If you are or intend to be a COMMRC major, you may want to acquire your own copy. Otherwise, you can view my copy during my office hours. Please email me to let me know you're coming to flip through it.

You MUST write on at least two terms, but will be rewarded accordingly for writing thoughtfully on all three terms. Remember that it will serve you well to refer to the Poulakos and Poulakos textbook, especially the sections on Plato. You may also see "in's" for such related terms as "logos", "dissoi logoi", &c. However, you should focus most of your analytical attention on the above two/three terms. Your paper is due Wed, March 29, WITHOUT EXCEPTION. You must bring the paper to class yourself and on time, as I will subtract just as many points from the paper as minutes you are late turning it in.

Grading Criteria: You'll be evaluated on the quality of your ideas and the soundness of your thesis and argument(s). Grammar and spelling are not in and of themselves a grade, but poor grammar and inaccurate spelling affect meaning and can sometimes effect one you don't intend; therefore, points will be deducted when awkwardness or ambiguity arise from an error. Be not discouraged, though, from employing a little playful irony.

Good luck!

Not so fast, facebook

Because only one of you has posted to this blog, to say our numbers are now "divided" b/c of the facebook group would be an example of adjectival bamboozling. I ask, though, that you continue to read this blog, even if you choose to contribute only to the facebook collective. If you want deserved credit for participation, though, you may also want to keep note of how often--and thoughtfully--you contribute to that group, as I am not checking it. Be honest.

Here's what you all should be thinking about/doing over break and the next few weeks:
1) Cut, cut, cut! If not total elimination, then pithy paraphrasing. Try to maintain some semblance of the spirit of the language you're paraphrasing, though. You should probably get together with the other instantiations of your character to decide on the optimum arrangement. Example: Person A speaks half the lines, and then Person B the second half; or Person A speaks 10 lines, then Person B, back-and-forth.
2) TYPE (and save somewhere safe) a distributable version of your part as it shows up throughout the play. Someone kind and lovely will collate the parts and order them according to the speaking order in the book. This will make the read-throughs/rehearsals easier and zippier, and as we keep cutting lines, you won't have to keep marking your book.
3) If you STILL haven't emailed Jon your character's bio sketch, DO SO NOW! You probably remember his email address, though I am incompetent in that regard.
4) I will post your paper prompt HERE in the next few days. Paper's are due MARCH 29, without exception. You must turn it in TO ME DURING CLASS to even have a chance for full credit. Sorry to shout, but this message needs to get through.

Alright, I think that's all. Post comments if you have them.

Michele

Xairete! This is the inaugural "Symposium" post...

Welcome, Poulakianites!

Now we have an out-of-class e-kklesia (get it?!) where we can toss around ideas without the vulgar vagaries of multiple emails or snail mails.

Though I am a member of many blog communities, this one is the first I've ever set up; therefore, for the first few weeks at least, you'll have to advise me or at least tolerate my well-intentioned bumblings.

You all know my email address, so drop me a line if you have any advice from the get-go. Otherwise, you should start posting your ideas here promptly.

Xairete (Greek for "good health"),
Michele