The Language of Heroes: Speech and Performance in the Iliad (Myth and Poetics) by Richard P. Martin

by Richard P. Martin

Drawing on recent studies in ethnography and sociolinguistics, Richard Martin here sets forth a poetics of Homeric speeches, which he sees not merely as poetic creations but as the representation of an actual form of speaking in a traditional culture.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Richard P. Martin interprets Greek poetry in the light of performance traditions and social practices. His primary interests are in Homeric epic, Greek comedy, mythology, and ancient religion.

Reviews

[Jacques Bromberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drawing from the methods of anthropologists and folklorists, Richard Martin looks at speech in the 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey', and argues for several Homeric genres of speaking.