Marco Fantuzzi
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199603626
- eISBN:
- 9780191746321
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199603626.003.0002
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Literary Studies: Classical, Early, and Medieval
After investigating Homer's complete silence on Achilles' stay at Scyros and the hints he makes about the military character of Achilles' visit to the island in the “Iliad”, much time is devoted to ...
More
After investigating Homer's complete silence on Achilles' stay at Scyros and the hints he makes about the military character of Achilles' visit to the island in the “Iliad”, much time is devoted to arguing that the poems of the Epic Cycle were also silent about Achilles' cross-dressing. The tragedy “Scyrioi” by Euripides appears to have dwelt mainly on the indecision and psychological drama of Achilles' last days at Scyros. The derogatory reconstruction of the motivations behind Achilles' stay (dodging the draft) dominates Lycophron's presentation of the myth, which is told from the hostile view-point of Cassandra. Greek and Latin poetry of the second/first century BC transforms the myth into an apotheosis of love. Statius intervenes to provide a new balance between epic dignification and eroticism.Less
After investigating Homer's complete silence on Achilles' stay at Scyros and the hints he makes about the military character of Achilles' visit to the island in the “Iliad”, much time is devoted to arguing that the poems of the Epic Cycle were also silent about Achilles' cross-dressing. The tragedy “Scyrioi” by Euripides appears to have dwelt mainly on the indecision and psychological drama of Achilles' last days at Scyros. The derogatory reconstruction of the motivations behind Achilles' stay (dodging the draft) dominates Lycophron's presentation of the myth, which is told from the hostile view-point of Cassandra. Greek and Latin poetry of the second/first century BC transforms the myth into an apotheosis of love. Statius intervenes to provide a new balance between epic dignification and eroticism.
Marco Fantuzzi
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199603626
- eISBN:
- 9780191746321
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199603626.003.0004
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Literary Studies: Classical, Early, and Medieval
The dynamics of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is investigated through an analysis of their stories; this analysis sticks to the text of the “Iliad” as much as possible, avoiding the ...
More
The dynamics of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is investigated through an analysis of their stories; this analysis sticks to the text of the “Iliad” as much as possible, avoiding the over-sexualized interpretations of some ancient and modern scholars. The result is that Homer is found to place great emphasis on the special intensity of this relationship, which however is markedly asexual and in tune with the Iliadic refusal of investigating sexuality as a male concern. The homosexual interpretation of Achilles' and Patroclus' relationship is explored through its Latin replicas in Virgil, Ovid and Statius.Less
The dynamics of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is investigated through an analysis of their stories; this analysis sticks to the text of the “Iliad” as much as possible, avoiding the over-sexualized interpretations of some ancient and modern scholars. The result is that Homer is found to place great emphasis on the special intensity of this relationship, which however is markedly asexual and in tune with the Iliadic refusal of investigating sexuality as a male concern. The homosexual interpretation of Achilles' and Patroclus' relationship is explored through its Latin replicas in Virgil, Ovid and Statius.
