Series | Lexis Supplements
Edited book | METra 1
Chapter | Il pianto di Achille e il digiuno di Penelope
Abstract
This paper focuses on two different epic themes, often intertwined: weeping and abstinence from food. Starting from the question τέκνον τί κλαίεις; (Thetis to Achilles), the first section explores the use of a specific ‘tragic formularity’ in scenes with veiled figures. Inspired to some extent by Parry’s analogie, in the second part of the essay we aim at highlighting the presence of epic hints in Ajax and Medea, where the prostrated characters are mad with grief and refrain from eating (and drinking). The models of these minute ‘type-scenes’ are epic – Homer and Homeric Hymns – yet relocated to a dramatic and performative context.
Submitted: March 14, 2022 | Accepted: May 10, 2022 | Published Dec. 14, 2022 | Language: it
Keywords Homer • Prostrated characters • Veiled figures • Type-scenes • Tragic formularity
Copyright © 2022 Andrea Rodighiero. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/978-886-969-654-1/004