Rumour and Renown
Representations of Fama in Western Literature

Major study of the literary treatment of rumour and renown across the canon of authors from Homer to Alexander Pope.

Philip Hardie (Author)

9780521620888, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 2 February 2012

706 pages, 37 b/w illus.
25.3 x 18.5 x 3.8 cm, 1.54 kg

'Impressive for the breadth of its coverage of so many authors and works across so many literary epochs, this study of representations of Fama in the Western tradition nevertheless combines that vastness of scale with Hardie's characteristic acuity as a close reader of text (text that extends in this case far beyond the Greco-Roman canon). The book is also beautifully produced, with ample margins, thirty-seven illustrations, thirty-six pages of bibliography and thorough indices of passages discussed and of general subjects.' Gareth Williams, The Journal of Roman Studies

The Latin word fama means 'rumour', 'report', 'tradition', as well as modern English 'fame' or 'renown'. This magisterial and groundbreaking study in the literary and cultural history of rumour and renown, by one of the most influential living critics of Latin poetry, examines the intricate dynamics of their representations from Homer to Alexander Pope, with a focus on the power struggles played out within attempts to control the word, both spoken and written. Central are the personifications of Fama in Virgil and Ovid and the rich progeny spawned by them, but the book focuses on a wide range of genres other than epic, and on a variety of modes of narrating, dramatising, critiquing and illustrating fama. Authors given detailed readings include Livy, Tacitus, Petrarch, Chaucer, Spenser, Shakespeare, Ben Jonson and Milton.

1. Introduction
2. Hesiod and Homer: Virgilian beginnings
3. Virgil's Fama
4. Fame and defamation in the Aeneid
5. Ovid: Metamorphoses
6. Later epic: Lucan, Statius, Valerius Flaccus, Nonnus
7. Roman historiography I: Livy
8. Roman historiography II: Tacitus
9. Fama and Amor
10. Fame and blame: Spenser
11. Christian conversions of Fama
12. Petrarch: Trionfi, Africa
13. Fama and power in early modern England: Shakespeare, Ben Jonson
14. Milton: Samson Agonistes
15. Plots of fame: Chaucer, Alexander Pope
16. Visual representations of Fama.

Subject Areas: Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB], Literature: history & criticism [DS]