A Narratological Commentary on the Odyssey

This 2001 book features a new type of commentary on Homer's Odyssey which concentrates on the text's narrative art.

Irene J. F. de Jong (Author)

9780521468442, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 22 November 2001

648 pages
24.4 x 17 x 3.3 cm, 1.02 kg

'… the book is a stimulating and thought-provoking addition to the previous commentaries on the Odyssey.' Scholia

Whereas traditional commentaries tend to be comprehensive and micro-textual, this narratological commentary, first published in 2001, focuses on one aspect of the Odyssey, its narrativity, and pays lavish attention to the meso- and macro-levels. Drawing on the concepts of modern narratology as well as the insights of Homeric scholarship, it discusses the role of narrator and narratees, methods of characterization and description, plot-development, focalization, and the narrative exploitation of type-scenes. Full attention is also given to the structure, characterizing function, and relation to the narrative context of the abundantly present speeches. Finally, the numerous themes and motifs, which so subtly contribute to the unity of this long text, are traced and evaluated. Although Homer's brilliant narrative art has always been admired, this commentary aims to lay bare the techniques responsible for this brilliance. All Greek is translated and all technical terms explained in a glossary.

Glossary
Commentary
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]