The use of pictorial effect in the poetry of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides

Abstract

I have attempted in this thesis to show the use of pictorial effect in the poetry of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. The word "poetry" has been deliberately introduced into the title to show that it is their work as poets solely, and not as dramatists, that is being considered. By this means the scope of the work is at once determined, for it devolves into an attempt to show the various kinds of pictures, and the different methods of expression in pictures, into which the genius of each poet naturally falls. To do this, it is necessary to have some kind of broad grouping, in order to render the whole more coherent, although the arrangement adopted may be a mere matter of accident so far as the subject matter of the pictures is concerned. It has, however, been followed only so far as the material itself permitted, for that material is of such a nature that, if forced into a mould and not suffered to follow its own direction, it will reduce itself to a mass of cross allusions, making up a sum which is rather a series of disconnected remarks than a coherent whole. The grouping consists of three separate sections which show respectively the treatment of Nature; the use of pure pictorial effect as illustrated by the descriptive passages found in Euripides alone, and the pictorial detail common alike to all the three posts; and lastly the attitude of mind manifested by the three posts in their treatment of pictures of which man, and the forces that are in and about him, are the centre. The treatment of Nature has been given the first place in this discussion for the reason that descriptions of Nature are common to all, and that therefore it is possible to gather from the type a general idea of the various characteristics of each poet and of the points in which he differs from his fellow poets, without losing sight of his relationship to them. It will be seen that most of the passages quoted are drawn from the odes, though a few are derived, as occasion arose, from other parts of the tragedies, and also from the messenger speeches. It was my attention to deal with the messenger speeches in a separate section, as forming a branch of pictorial effect, but the conclusion was gradually forced upon me that any adequate treatment of them would necessitate the writing of a separate thesis, the subject of which would be rather dramatic than pictorial.