HOMER: ODYSSEY Books XIX and XX

Homer; R. B. Rutherford (Ed. )

ISBN 10: 0521345170 / ISBN 13: 9780521345170

Published by Cambridge University Press, 1992

About this Item

Scholar's bookplate to inner cover (G. P. Goold). Foxing/dustsoiling to top of textblock. Minor shelfwear to DJ. ; Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics; 264 pages; The Odyssey, besides being one of the world's first adventure stories, is a poem of great subtlety, rich in irony and sophisticated characterization. The poet's art is amply illustrated by books XIX and XX, in which Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, spends the night in his own palace and lays plans for his awesome revenge. Particularly memorable is the episode in which Penelope converses with her husband without suspecting his identity. In this edition, Richard Rutherford provides not only detailed comment on the action, characterization, and style of the books in question, but also, in an extensive introduction, a general survey of the Odyssey as a whole, laying special emphasis on the qualities of the second half of the poem. He also attempts to contribute to the literary criticism of the poem on a verbal level, by considering the poet's use of formulae, rhetorical technique, and similes. This volume is intended for readers of the Odyssey at all stages. The commentary gives extensive linguistic guidance for beginners; and the introduction, in which all Greek is translated, is intended to be accessible to any readers interested in Homer as a poet.

Seller Inventory # 29942

Bibliographic Details

• Title: HOMER: ODYSSEY Books XIX and XX
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521345170
• ISBN 13: 9780521345170
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Weight: 0.71 pounds
• Seller catalogs:
  • Classical Studies::Cambridge Greek and Latin Cl...

About this title

Synopsis

The Odyssey, besides being one of the world's first adventure stories, is a poem of great subtlety, rich in irony and sophisticated characterization. The poet's art is amply illustrated by books XIX and XX, in which Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, spends the night in his own palace and lays plans for his awesome revenge. Particularly memorable is the episode in which Penelope converses with her husband without suspecting his identity. In this edition, Richard Rutherford provides not only detailed comment on the action, characterization, and style of the books in question, but also, in an extensive introduction, a general survey of the Odyssey as a whole, laying special emphasis on the qualities of the second half of the poem. He also attempts to contribute to the literary criticism of the poem on a verbal level, by considering the poet's use of formulae, rhetorical technique, and similes. This volume is intended for readers of the Odyssey at all stages. The commentary gives extensive linguistic guidance for beginners; and the introduction, in which all Greek is translated, is intended to be accessible to any readers interested in Homer as a poet.

Book Description

The poet's art is amply illustrated in this commentary on books XIX and XX, in which Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, spends the night in his own palace and lays plans for his awesome revenge. Extensive linguistic guidance is also provided for beginners.