The Prayer of Jacob (PGM22b) and speech act theory : a pragmatic analysis
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Date
Authors
Khumalo, Sihe
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Classical Association of South Africa
Abstract
This article uses Speech Act Theory to analyse The Prayer of Jacob, a magical
incantation from the fourth-century Greek Magical Papyri (PGM 22b. 1-26). Drawing
from Austin and Searle’s Speech Act Theory, I examine various speech acts within
the prayer, following Lesses’ methodology. Three primary speech act types
(directives, expressives, and direct addresses) are identified, alongside an
exploration of phrases invoking the power and names of God, and enigmatic voces
magicae. Ultimately, the paper suggests that the combination of verbal utterances
with divine names, expressions of power, and voces magicae enhances the prayer’s
potential effectiveness, leading to the desired outcomes under appropriate
conditions.
Description
Keywords
Ancient magic, Greek Magical Papyri (PGM), Religion, Speech Act Theory, Illocutionary force
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Khumalo Sihe. “The Prayer of Jacob (PGM22b) and Speech Act Theory: A Pragmatic Analysis.” Acta Classica : Proceedings of the Classical Association of South Africa 67, no. 1 (December 1, 2024): 65–93. https://doi.org/10.10520/ejc-classic_v67_n1_a5.