Myth and Poetry in Lucretius (Cambridge Classical Studies) - Hardcover

Gale, Monica R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521451353 ISBN 13: 9780521451352

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1994

Synopsis

Lucretius' De Rerum Natura is a philosophical epic, devoted to the exposition of Epicurean philosophy. Since the system was materialistic, and highly critical of myth and poetry, Lucretius' use of mythological language and imagery is surprising. Dr. Gale considers the poem against the background of earlier and contemporary views of myth, and suggests that Lucretius was well aware of the tension between his two roles as poet and philosopher, and attempted to resolve it by developing a bold and innovative theory of myth and poetry.

About this title

Book Description:

This book attempts to provide a more positive assessment of Lucretius' aims and methodology by considering the poet's attitude to myth, and the role which it plays in the De Rerum Natura, against the background of earlier and contemporary views.

From the Back Cover:

The employment of mythological language and imagery by an Epicurean poet - a professed adherent of a system which was not only materialist, but overtly hostile to myth and poetry - is highly paradoxical. This apparent contradiction has often been ascribed to a conflict in the poet's personality, between reason and intellect, or to a desire to enliven his philosophical material with attractive mythological digressions. This book attempts to provide a more positive assessment of Lucretius' aims and methodology, by considering the poet's attitude to myth, and the role which it plays in the De Rerum Natura, against the background of earlier and contemporary views. Dr Gale suggests that Lucretius was not only aware of the tension between his two roles as philosopher and poet, but attempted to resolve it by developing his own, Epicurean poetic, together with a bold and innovative theory of the origins and meaning of myth. This book will be of interest to all classical scholars but especially to those concerned with Lucretius and with ancient philosophy.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0521451353
• ISBN 13: 9780521451352
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 276