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.

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

About the Author
Irene de Jong is Professor of Ancient Greek Literature at the Universiteit van Amsterdam. Her publications include Narrators and Focalizers: The Presentation of the Story in the Iliad (1987) and Narrative in Drama: The Art of the Euripidean Messenger-Speech (1991).

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



Book Information
ISBN 9780521468442
Author Irene J. F. de Jong
Format Paperback
Page Count 648
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 1020g
Dimensions(mm) 244mm * 170mm * 33mm