Prophets, Performance, and Power: Performance Criticism of the Hebrew Bible

Description

-Provides the first ever use of performance criticism to analyze Old Testament, or biblical, texts. -Shows that prophetic activity, especially Amos, functions as drama and theater in the same way that Oedipus does. -Offers to general readers a new way of reading and thinking about the Old Testament prophets. Embedded in portions of the biblical text are performance modes of thought that preserve a pre-literary way of thinking that can be analyzed through performance analysis. Even as literary forms of thought are embedded in non-literary forms of communication (television and radio announcers, preachers, actors, conversation), pre-literary forms of thought (i.e., performance modes of thought), became embedded in early literature. Performance analysis is designed to identify and describe these performance modes of thought embedded in the prophetic literature. While recognizing the contribution of various forms of literary criticism, performance analysis enriches literary analysis by bridging the written word to its oral world. Doan's and Giles' book has two major components: the development of performance analysis methodology and the application of that methodology to select portions of the prophetic texts found in the Hebrew bible.

William Doan is Professor of Theater at Miami University of Ohio. Terry Giles is Professor of Theology at Gannon University, Erie, Pennsylvania.

"By applying the tools of performance theory, semotics, and reception analysis to the work of the Old Testament prophets both in light of their original orality and the tension between this and textual recording, the authors have opened up significant new areas of scholarly investigation. Their careful analyses will be stimulating not only to biblical scholars, but to anyone interested in the complex negotiations among oral performance, textual recording, and cultural memory." -Marvin Carlson, Sidney E. Cohn Professor of Theatre and Comparative Literature, The Graduate Center, City University of New York -- Marvin Carlson * Blurb from reviewer * "Breaking new ground in the application of performance theory to the Hebrew Bible, Doan and Giles have created a scholarly and entertaining analysis, placing Biblical characters on the liminal stage. This innovative approach uncovers the construction of the history of the Jewish prophets as implicit and explicit performance. Much has been written about the religious spectacle of the Greek theater. Here we experience anew the ancient Hebrews as they step outside the scripted page." -Karen Berman, President of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education -- Karen Berman * Blurb from reviewer * "Prophets, Performance, and Power is a landmark in biblical studies, convincingly making the case for 'performance criticism' of biblical texts." -Robert M. Fowler, Chairperson and Professor, Department of Religion, Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio -- Robert M. Fowler * Blurb from reviewer * This book makes a major contribution not only to the burgeoning field of performance criticism but also to the established realm of theatrical studies. Doan and Giles have carved a gem of a book. By embedding their insights in the dramatic text of Amos the authors put flesh on the theoretical bones of performance criticism. The reader will never see that prophetic text in the same way again. Both prophet and scribe come alive - each in his own way. Doan and Giles skillfully demonstrate how Amos' courageous action was conveyed through an unknown's scribe's creative retelling. Their work will become required reading for anyone wanting to know how performance criticism throws new light and understanding on the biblical tradition. -- Arthur J. Dewey Co-Chair, Bible in Ancient and Modern Media Program, Society of Biblical Literature, Professor of Theology, Xavier Univesity * Blurb from reviewer *