| A Companion to the Iliad Contributor(s): Willcock, Malcolm M. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0226898555 ISBN-13: 9780226898551 Publisher: University of Chicago Press OUR PRICE: $22.77 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: May 1976 Annotation: Those who are able to read Homer in Greek have ample recourse to commentaries, but the vast majority who read the "Iliad" in translation have not been so well served--the many available translations contain few, if any, notes. For these readers, Malcolm M. Willcock provides a line-by-line commentary that explains the many factual details, mythological allusions, and Homeric conventions that a student or general reader could not be expected to bring to an initial encounter with the "Iliad". The notes, which always relate to particular lines in the text, have as their prime aim the simple, factual explanation of things the inexperienced reader would be unlikely to have at his or her command (What is a hecatomb? Who is Atreus' son?). Second, they enhance an appreciation of the "Iliad" by illuminating epic style, Homer's methods of composition, the structure of the work, and the characterization of the major heroes. The "Homeric Question," concerning the origin and authorship of the "Iliad", is also discussed. Professor Willcock's commentary is based on Richmond Lattimore's translation--regarded by many as the outstanding translation of the present generation--but it may be used profitably with other versions as well. This clearly written commentary, which includes an excellent select bibliography, will make one of the touchstones of Western literature accessible to a wider audience. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Literary Criticism | Ancient And Classical |
| Dewey: 883 |
| LCCN: 75020894 |
| Series: Phoenix Books |
| Physical Information: 0.63" H x 5.32" W x 8.04" (0.64 lbs) 302 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Those who are able to read Homer in Greek have ample recourse to commentaries, but the vast majority who read the Iliad in translation have not been so well served--the many available translations contain few, if any, notes. For these readers, Malcolm M. Willcock provides a line-by-line commentary that explains the many factual details, mythological allusions, and Homeric conventions that a student or general reader could not be expected to bring to an initial encounter with the Iliad. The notes, which always relate to particular lines in the text, have as their prime aim the simple, factual explanation of things the inexperienced reader would be unlikely to have at his or her command (What is a hecatomb? Who is Atreus' son?). Second, they enhance an appreciation of the Iliad by illuminating epic style, Homer's methods of composition, the structure of the work, and the characterization of the major heroes. The Homeric Question, concerning the origin and authorship of the Iliad, is also discussed. Professor Willcock's commentary is based on Richmond Lattimore's translation--regarded by many as the outstanding translation of the present generation--but it may be used profitably with other versions as well. This clearly written commentary, which includes an excellent select bibliography, will make one of the touchstones of Western literature accessible to a wider audience. |