
Reading the Odyssey
A Guide to Homer's Narrative
Jonas Grethlein(Author)
Princeton University Press
Published on 12. November 2024
Book
Hardback
328 pages
978-0-691-18249-0 (ISBN)
Description
A fresh and original introduction to the Odyssey-and how it continues to shape literature, film, art and even the ways we make sense of our lives
Reading the Odyssey is an introduction to Homer's masterpiece like no other. It combines a cultural and intellectual history of the epic with an in-depth exploration of its unique and influential narrative structure and the ways it continues to inform issues of identity, meaning and experience.
Reading the Odyssey begins with a broad history of the epic's reception and interpretation, its place in cultural and intellectual history and its influence today on literature, film and art. After introducing the literary form of the Odyssey, the book turns to its main focus: the layered narrative that lies at the heart of the poem. Taking readers on a tour of the epic, Jonas Grethlein shows the nuanced ways the Odyssey uses a wide variety of narrative forms and functions. At the same time, he highlights how we all rely on narratives, first used by Homer, to form identities, forge communities and make sense of our lives.
The result is a compelling guide to the Odyssey that demonstrates why it continues to speak so powerfully to so many readers today.
Reading the Odyssey is an introduction to Homer's masterpiece like no other. It combines a cultural and intellectual history of the epic with an in-depth exploration of its unique and influential narrative structure and the ways it continues to inform issues of identity, meaning and experience.
Reading the Odyssey begins with a broad history of the epic's reception and interpretation, its place in cultural and intellectual history and its influence today on literature, film and art. After introducing the literary form of the Odyssey, the book turns to its main focus: the layered narrative that lies at the heart of the poem. Taking readers on a tour of the epic, Jonas Grethlein shows the nuanced ways the Odyssey uses a wide variety of narrative forms and functions. At the same time, he highlights how we all rely on narratives, first used by Homer, to form identities, forge communities and make sense of our lives.
The result is a compelling guide to the Odyssey that demonstrates why it continues to speak so powerfully to so many readers today.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New Jersey
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
20 b/w illus. 1 map.
Dimensions
Height: 164 mm
Width: 247 mm
Thickness: 33 mm
Weight
706 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-691-18249-0 (9780691182490)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
11/2024
1st Edition
Princeton University Press
€33.99
Available for download
Persons
Jonas Grethlein is Chair in Greek literature at the University of Heidelberg. His books include Ancient Greek Texts and Modern Narrative Theory, The Ancient Aesthetics of Deception, Aesthetic Experiences and Classical Antiquity, and The Greeks and Their Past.