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How an utterance relates to the previous utterances by the same figure

How an utterance relates to a previous utterance by the same figure suggests more far-reaching questions of semantic coherence and stylistic homogeneity of utterances by one figure in both a single dialogue and the dramatic text as a whole. It informs us of the verbal disposition of a certain figure. His perspective is determined by the semantic equivalences of all his utterances. The recurrence of certain stylistic features delineates the contours of the figure's identity and distinguishes him from other characters. Examples of this are quotes of previous utterances or idiosyncratic utterances.



Iede Snoek 2002-02-25