The Rhetoric of Memucan's Speech: Genre and Characterisation in Esther 1
The speech which Memucan gives to King Ahasuerus in the Masoretic version of Esther 1:16-20 persuades him to depose Queen Vashti. This decision which Ahasuerus makes based on Memucan's advice is the first of many he makes based on speeches and advice throughout the narrative and this first spee...
| Published in: | Australian biblical review |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
[publisher not identified]
[2019]
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| In: |
Australian biblical review
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| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Bible. Ester 1
/ Xerxes I Iran, King 519 BC-465 BC
/ Rhetoric
/ Speech
/ Bible. Ester 1,13-20
/ King
/ Persian
/ Narrative exegesis
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| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament |
| Further subjects: | B
XERXES I, King of Persia, 519 B.C.-465 or 4 B.C
B Rhetoric B Bible. Ester 1 |
| Summary: | The speech which Memucan gives to King Ahasuerus in the Masoretic version of Esther 1:16-20 persuades him to depose Queen Vashti. This decision which Ahasuerus makes based on Memucan's advice is the first of many he makes based on speeches and advice throughout the narrative and this first speech precipitates many of the major events in the narrative. Because of its early placement in the narrative, it has a unique role in the depiction of Ahasuerus, and in particular serves as an early determiner of the readers' impression of the king. When the king is persuaded, the pertinent question is whether the audience is also. In analysing the persuasiveness of the speech's rhetoric, the conclusions reached by readers alter their perceptions of Ahasuerus, of his subsequent decisions throughout the book, and of how his role should be evaluated. |
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| ISSN: | 0045-0308 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Australian biblical review
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