[lit-ideas] Re: A Note in General
- From: Michael Chase <goya@xxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 08:03:57 +0200
Le 17 mai 05, =E0 21:25, Erin Holder a =E9crit :
> Today was my first class of ancient Greek. I give it a week before I=20=
> forget my
> three years worth of German. Either way, ancient Greek rocks.
M.C. Yes, it does.
> Apparently the
> lengthy epics could be orally composed on the spot because all the=20
> names and
> feasts, e.g. were just formulaic expressions the recitation of which=20=
> provided
> enough time to compose in one's head in the meantime the new lines to=20=
> come. I
> had no idea.
M.C. That's the theory, anyhow, as devised by Milman Parry. But he=20
thought it up by observing contemporary Yugoslav folksingers. But if=20
you've had the occasion to compare Yugoslav folk-songs, catchy as they=20=
can be, with Homer, you have to wonder whether Parry knew what the heck=20=
he was talking about.
Best, Mike.
Michael Chase
(goya@xxxxxxxxxxx)
CNRS UPR 76
7, rue Guy Moquet
Villejuif 94801
France
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