The Ulysses Theme: A Study in the Adaptability of a Traditional Hero

by W.B. Stanford

This book offers substance to contemporary reflections on manhood. Comradeship, heroism, virtue, wandering, trickery, psychopathy, father-son issues, relations between men and a variety of feminie forms, and the intervention of the Gods. Stanford surveys the range of responses—from Euripides to Kazantzakis—to Ulysses’ ambiguous nature, transforming Homeric studies by focusing on literary and psychological analysis.

Genres: Classics, Literary Criticism

256 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1968

Reviews

[Clifton Toliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have found this to be one of the better books that deal with the origins and transmission of the character Of Ulysses that I have read. Standford does a great job of discussing a just about every aspect of this to me one of the most intriguing literary characters of all time. It would be well worth anyone who is interested in Ulysses to at least glance through this book.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at the motives for various characterizations of Odysseus by different authors.