Virgil's Iliad : an essay on epic narrative / K.W. Gransden.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gransden, K. W.

Contributor:

Virgil.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Virgil. Aeneis.

Virgil.

Homer--Influence--Virgil.

Homer.

Homer. Iliad.

Epic poetry, Classical--History and criticism.

Epic poetry, Classical.

Physical Description:

x, 221 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge [Cambridgeshire] ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1984.

Summary:

'For the modern reader', writes Mr Gransden in his introduction, 'to try to make sense of the Aeneid without continual recourse to Homer is like trying to read a code whose secret is lost.' This is a book about Virgil's Aeneid and especially the second half of the poem, which explores in some detail Virgil's use of Homer's Iliad. The author's main purpose is to try to re-establish the value and importance of books VII-XII of the Aeneid, arguing that far from constituting a falling off from the more familiar earlier books, Aeneid VII-XII presents a continuous epic narrative of sustained power and grandeur, planned and executed on the largest scale and offering a structural unity which matches that of its great model. His secondary purpose is to try to give the modern reader an impression of what Homer's Iliad meant to the implied reader of the Aeneid and to Virgil himself. Throughout, Mr Gransden places emphasis on the text as a piece of continuous narrative, finding that the experience of reading VII-XII modifies the reader's sense of books I-VI.

This book will interest all those who enjoy Virgil, whether they are studying Latin or reading the poet in translation. A knowledge of Latin is not essential and those concerned with the techniques of narrative in epic and other fiction will also find the book of value.

Contents:

Prologue: Homer's Iliad 9

Part I Peace

1 Transition 31

2 Invocation 39

3 Homecoming 44

4 Dynastic 57

5 Juno 67

6 Catalogue 81

7 Diplomatic 87

Part II War

1 Absence 97

2 Nisus and Euryalus 102

3 Siege 119

4 The council of the Gods 126

5 The return of Aeneas 138

6 The funeral of Pallas 154

7 The council of war 174

8 Camilla's last stand 183

9 War and peace 192.

Notes:

Includes indexes.

Bibliography: pages [218]-219.

ISBN:

0521245044

OCLC:

10458026