References to external mythological figures in the "Odyssey".
Item
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Title
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References to external mythological figures in the "Odyssey".
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Identifier
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AAI9530863
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identifier
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9530863
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Creator
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Crissy, Katherine.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Jacob Stern
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Date
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1995
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Literature, Classical | Language, Ancient
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Abstract
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This study is an examination of the references made in the Odyssey to mythological figures who do not appear in the poem's main storyline or the Trojan Saga. These references are often considered to be extraneous material, contributing to the sense that the work is loosely constructed because of its length and origins in the oral tradition. To counter such an impression, this study aims to demonstrate the relevance of the myths to their immediate context and to the poem as a whole, while looking for any general function or characteristics that they may have. Thus it supports the notion that the Odyssey is a well-constructed work of art, even with respect to one kind of detail which may at first appear to be random or casual.;The study is conducted in the following way. First, the number, type, and function of external references in the Odyssey are considered in comparison with those in the Iliad. Through this comparison it appears that the external mythological references of the Odyssey are aimed primarily at exposition of character and character role, rather than being mainly persuasive paradigms spoken by one character in order to persuade another, like those in the Iliad. Often their function in the Odyssey involves some irony, reversal or contradiction. To further demonstrate these traits, the relevance of each mythological reference to its context in the Odyssey is examined on an individual basis. Artistic devices such as parallelism, allusion, and innovation are also discussed. Finally, the myths in general are shown to have an important relation to two themes unifying the poem as a whole, identity and transgression. These themes are significant for character exposition, particularly with respect to Odysseus and the nature of his revenge on the suitors.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
