Configuring Nicodemus: an interdisciplinary approach to complex characterization
"Michael Whitenton offers a fresh perspective on the characterization of Nicodemus, focusing on the benefit of Hellenistic rhetoric and the cognitive sciences for understanding audience construals of characters in ancient narratives. Whitenton builds an interdisciplinary approach to ancient cha...
| Summary: | "Michael Whitenton offers a fresh perspective on the characterization of Nicodemus, focusing on the benefit of Hellenistic rhetoric and the cognitive sciences for understanding audience construals of characters in ancient narratives. Whitenton builds an interdisciplinary approach to ancient characters, utilizing cognitive science, Greek stock characters, ancient rhetoric, and modern literary theory. He then turns his attention to the characterization of Nicodemus, where he argues that Nicodemus would likely be understood initially as a dissembling character, only to depart from that characterization later in the narrative, suggesting a journey toward Johannine faith. Whitenton presents a compelling argument: many in an ancient audience would construe Nicodemus in ways that suggest his development from doubt and suspicion to commitment and devotion."--Bloomsbury Publishing Acknowledgments -- List of Abbreviations -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Characterization, Cognition, and Ancient Listeners -- 3. Relevant Prototypical Characters -- 4. Configuring Nicodemus in John 3.1-21 -- 5. Stability and Development in Nicodemus's Character in John 7 and 19 -- 6. Rhetorical Function(s) of Nicodemus -- 7. Conclusion -- Bibliography -- Index -- Index of Ancient Sources. |
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| Item Description: | Compliant with Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Content is displayed as HTML full text which can easily be resized or read with assistive technology, with mark-up that allows screen readers and keyboard-only users to navigate easily Includes bibliographical references and index |
| ISBN: | 0567665313 |
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.5040/9780567665317 |