Rhapsody 18

Homer commentary

A sampling of comments on Odyssey Rhapsody 18

2017.07.19 / updated 2018.10.13 | By Gregory Nagy In Rhapsody 18, Odysseus as a make-believe beggar is challenged by a most questionable character named Iros, who figures as a real beggar. What makes Iros so questionable is his similarity to characters who figure in a poetic form that can best be described as mock epic. [[GN 2017.07.20.]] Read more

Homer commentary, Plato commentary

A sampling of comments on Iliad Rhapsody 18

2016.11.25 / updated 2018.09.20 | By Gregory Nagy The centerpiece of Iliad 18 is the shield of Achilles, envisioned as a work of art that defines the universe. The divine artisan Hephaistos makes this shield by way of metalwork, but Homeric poetry reconfigures the artistry of this metalwork by way of verbal art. And the artistry of Homeric poetry will now create or re-create a cosmos that is meant to… Read more