Homer and His Age

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Homer and His Age by Andrew Lang, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Andrew Lang ISBN: 9781465600882
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Andrew Lang
ISBN: 9781465600882
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
In Homer and the Epic, ten or twelve years ago, I examined the literary objections to Homeric unity. These objections are chiefly based on alleged discrepancies in the narrative, of which no one poet, it is supposed, could have been guilty. The critics repose, I venture to think, mainly on a fallacy. We may style it the fallacy of "the analytical reader." The poet is expected to satisfy a minutely critical reader, a personage whom he could not foresee, and whom he did not address. Nor are "contradictory instances" examined—that is, as Blass has recently reminded his countrymen, Homer is put to a test which Goethe could not endure. No long fictitious narrative can satisfy "the analytical reader." The fallacy is that of disregarding the Homeric poet's audience. He did not sing for Aristotle or for Aristarchus, or for modern minute and reflective inquirers, but for warriors and ladies. He certainly satisfied them; but if he does not satisfy microscopic professors, he is described as a syndicate of many minstrels, living in many ages. In the present volume little is said in defence of the poet's consistency. Several chapters on that point have been excised. The way of living which Homer describes is examined, and an effort is made to prove that he depicts the life of a single brief age of culture. The investigation is compelled to a tedious minuteness, because the points of attack—the alleged discrepancies in descriptions of the various details of existence—are so minute as to be all but invisible. The unity of the Epics is not so important a topic as the methods of criticism. They ought to be sober, logical, and self-consistent. When these qualities are absent, Homeric criticism may be described, in the recent words of Blass, as "a swamp haunted by wandering fires, will o' the wisps."
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
In Homer and the Epic, ten or twelve years ago, I examined the literary objections to Homeric unity. These objections are chiefly based on alleged discrepancies in the narrative, of which no one poet, it is supposed, could have been guilty. The critics repose, I venture to think, mainly on a fallacy. We may style it the fallacy of "the analytical reader." The poet is expected to satisfy a minutely critical reader, a personage whom he could not foresee, and whom he did not address. Nor are "contradictory instances" examined—that is, as Blass has recently reminded his countrymen, Homer is put to a test which Goethe could not endure. No long fictitious narrative can satisfy "the analytical reader." The fallacy is that of disregarding the Homeric poet's audience. He did not sing for Aristotle or for Aristarchus, or for modern minute and reflective inquirers, but for warriors and ladies. He certainly satisfied them; but if he does not satisfy microscopic professors, he is described as a syndicate of many minstrels, living in many ages. In the present volume little is said in defence of the poet's consistency. Several chapters on that point have been excised. The way of living which Homer describes is examined, and an effort is made to prove that he depicts the life of a single brief age of culture. The investigation is compelled to a tedious minuteness, because the points of attack—the alleged discrepancies in descriptions of the various details of existence—are so minute as to be all but invisible. The unity of the Epics is not so important a topic as the methods of criticism. They ought to be sober, logical, and self-consistent. When these qualities are absent, Homeric criticism may be described, in the recent words of Blass, as "a swamp haunted by wandering fires, will o' the wisps."

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book My Experiences in Manipur and The Naga Hills by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Mystery of M. Felix by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Jester of St. Timothy's by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book British Birds in Their Haunts by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Druid Path by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book An Introduction to the Study of the Maya Hieroglyphs by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Sixty Years in Southern California 1853-1913 Containing the Reminiscences of Harris Newmark by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Sherlock Holmes: The Redheaded League by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book A Rose of a Hundred Leaves: A Love Story by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Liza: A Nest of Nobles by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Dealer in Human Parts by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Daniel Webster for Young Americans: Comprising the Greatest Speeches of the Defender of the Constitution by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Fundamental Philosophy (Complete) by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book More Peers: Verses by Andrew Lang
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy