1. The Irrational
How is Greek drama (specifically, Euripides) a way of dealing with the irrationality of life?

Euripides was a genius of his time in relation to Greek drama.  Much of what he did helped people to recognize just how unfair life can be.  My focus with Euripides is on a topic to which I personally connect with because of his decision to use something so important at a time where it was very unpopular.  He showed a lot of sympathy toward society and its’ victims- but I especially loved how he reached out to the audience of women.  Now, excuse me as I get on my women equality soap box for a moment and focus on the great deed Euripides did by choosing to focus on women.  It may seem like he didn’t understand decorum- his audience probably being made up of mostly males in a male dominate society.

In my life I have come across and studied some ancient literature including scripture, stories, and plays.  It seems that so often it is only the men who are the main characters- the heroes, the villains, and those who receive the most focus.  Yes, I can relate in some ways to them, but it is another realm of connection when the woman is the hero, that her role of being a mother or wife is just as difficult if not harder than what these men going off to war must encounter.  By allowing women to be the more important or popular characters- especially in such a time in ancient Greece where women heroes were almost unheard of- he passive aggressively helped the women recognize their importance in society.  He also called attention to the men, calling for them take a step down off of their high horse and have more respect for the women.  No, obviously gender equality issues were not solved and still exist today- but Euripides helped create (or added to) a ripple effect that has strengthened and helped ignite women for centuries.

3. Homer and Rhetoric
Homer was not a rhetorician, and the Iliad or The Odyssey are not rhetorical treatises. Why, then, is Home so significant to the history of rhetoric?

 The stories of Homer are some of the most well-known, thoroughly studied stories passed through time, coming second to the stories of the bible.  They influenced all types of people and even helped shape the history of rhetoric.  Although his works were not technically rhetorical treatises, Homer was able to emotionally connect his audience with his stories through his themes.  The very purpose of rhetoric is the art of persuasion- to persuade the audience emotionally to change or develop an attitude more strongly than they currently felt. The stories Homer wrote, like the Iliad and the Odyssey, are filled with timeless themes that ignite a similar feeling.

One example of the power of his connectable themes is the obligation of men to their leaders.  In the Iliad, the leader Odysseus tears down on Thersites- a common soldier- for stepping out of place and speaking when he had no authority.  With this, Homer writes so even the readers feel inferior to the great Odysseus and remember where they stand in society.  It causes many to contemplate whether or not they stepping out of place?  He continues throughout the story with other powerful themes such as the pride of man.  The destructive influence of pride and how selfish the characters are being is almost tangible.  A reader cannot help but question their own motives behind their actions.  Isn't that exactly what rhetoricians want? To move their audience to really listen and be touched to the point of persuasion.  Homer planted this power of themes and many other seeds for rhetoricians to develop from.  He, although not a rhetorician, is a part of shaping rhetorical history.