Analysis of the Communicative Situation in Aphra Behn's 'The Rover' Using Speech Act Theory, Grice's Maxims of Conversation and Relevance Theory

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book Analysis of the Communicative Situation in Aphra Behn's 'The Rover' Using Speech Act Theory, Grice's Maxims of Conversation and Relevance Theory by Anonymous, GRIN Verlag
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Anonymous ISBN: 9783668260498
Publisher: GRIN Verlag Publication: July 15, 2016
Imprint: GRIN Verlag Language: English
Author: Anonymous
ISBN: 9783668260498
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Publication: July 15, 2016
Imprint: GRIN Verlag
Language: English

Essay from the year 2014 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,0 (A in England), Oxford University, language: English, abstract: This essay argues that Aphra Behn's 'The Rover' is first and foremost a play about language and communication, and the transformative power of language. Verbal communication in 'The Rover' is the most powerful instrument in the game of seduction. It not only structures the social relations between the two sexes, but it gives structure to the whole play. This essay applies Speech Act Theory, Grice's Maxims of Conversation and parts of Relevance Theory from the linguistic field of Pragmatics to 'The Rover' and will thus provide an analysis of the communicative situation in the play. The analysis will mainly focus on Willmore, Hellena and Angellica's speech, but will take the other characters into consideration, too. I will show that the characters in the play have different philosophies of language. While Willmore considers and uses language as performative and transformative instrument, his female interlocutors consider speech as a means for conveying and knowing truth. These different philosophies, or understandings of the power of language, problematize communication in the play and explain why in one and the same conversation communication can be felicitous for one interlocutor and infelicitous for the speaker. First, Austin's Speech Act Theory will be applied, and a detailed differentiation between Willmore and his female interlocutors' concepts of language will be provided. These observations will in a second step be supported by Grice's Maxims of Cooperation and Sperber and Wilson's Relevance Theory. I will then show what strategies the characters in 'The Rover' develop to deal with Willmore's philosophy of language. Finally, a number of questions which this analysis raises will be identified.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Essay from the year 2014 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,0 (A in England), Oxford University, language: English, abstract: This essay argues that Aphra Behn's 'The Rover' is first and foremost a play about language and communication, and the transformative power of language. Verbal communication in 'The Rover' is the most powerful instrument in the game of seduction. It not only structures the social relations between the two sexes, but it gives structure to the whole play. This essay applies Speech Act Theory, Grice's Maxims of Conversation and parts of Relevance Theory from the linguistic field of Pragmatics to 'The Rover' and will thus provide an analysis of the communicative situation in the play. The analysis will mainly focus on Willmore, Hellena and Angellica's speech, but will take the other characters into consideration, too. I will show that the characters in the play have different philosophies of language. While Willmore considers and uses language as performative and transformative instrument, his female interlocutors consider speech as a means for conveying and knowing truth. These different philosophies, or understandings of the power of language, problematize communication in the play and explain why in one and the same conversation communication can be felicitous for one interlocutor and infelicitous for the speaker. First, Austin's Speech Act Theory will be applied, and a detailed differentiation between Willmore and his female interlocutors' concepts of language will be provided. These observations will in a second step be supported by Grice's Maxims of Cooperation and Sperber and Wilson's Relevance Theory. I will then show what strategies the characters in 'The Rover' develop to deal with Willmore's philosophy of language. Finally, a number of questions which this analysis raises will be identified.

More books from GRIN Verlag

Cover of the book Das Prinzip der Entschleunigung. Wie die Slow-Bewegung versucht, sich gegen die wachsende Schnelligkeit der Gesellschaft aufzustellen by Anonymous
Cover of the book Grundlinien der USPD by Anonymous
Cover of the book Grundlagen und wichtige Regelungen des Internetrechts by Anonymous
Cover of the book Erstellung eines Geschäftsbriefes nach der neuen DIN 5008 (Unterweisung Bürokaufmann / -kauffrau) by Anonymous
Cover of the book Erfahrung des Raumes by Anonymous
Cover of the book Rhetorische Aspekte in den Reden Osama Bin Ladens by Anonymous
Cover of the book Zu: Theo Vennemann - 'Preference laws for syllable structure and the explanation of sound change' by Anonymous
Cover of the book Politische Kräfte der Französischen Revolution by Anonymous
Cover of the book Pierre-Auguste Renoir - Zeitgeschehen und Zeit im Frühstück der Bootsfahrer by Anonymous
Cover of the book Die USA - Imperium oder Führungsnation by Anonymous
Cover of the book Unterrichtseinheit: Praktikumsbeleg SP2 &SP3 Mathematik - Vergleichen und Ordnen von Zahlen im Zahlenraum bis 100 by Anonymous
Cover of the book DDR-Sport und Olympia by Anonymous
Cover of the book Analyse und Vergleich des Früh- und Spätwerkes Michelangelos am Beispiel der römischen und florentinischen Pietà by Anonymous
Cover of the book Umweltverbände und ihr Einfluss auf die Organe der Europäischen Union by Anonymous
Cover of the book Innovative Geschäftsmodelle im deutschen e-Commerce im Vergleich by Anonymous
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy