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Darkness Visible

A Study of Vergil's "Aeneid"
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( 31 ratings, 6 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Darkness Visible by W. R. Johnson delves into the complexities of classical literature, particularly focusing on works from Roman antiquity. The author analyses how these ancient texts navigate themes of ambiguity and darkness to reveal their depth and artistic power. Through this exploration, Johnson sheds light on the enduring impact and aesthetic dimensions of these classical masterpieces within the realm of arts and culture.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you have a keen interest in exploring the intricate layers of classical literature with a fresh perspective. This work delves into the nuances of ancient texts, offering a modern interpretation that uncovers the hidden depths of the classics. It's a compelling read for those who appreciate the intersection between ancient art and contemporary cultural understanding.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

With an approach to the text that is both grounded in scholarship and intensely personal, and in a style both rhetorically elegant and passionate, this book offers readings of specific passages that are nuanced and suggestive as it focuses on the "somber and nourishing fictions" in Vergil's poem.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

One of the best books ever written on one of humanity's greatest epics, W. R. Johnson's classic study of Vergil's Aeneid challenges centuries of received wisdom. Johnson rejects the political and historical reading of the epic as a record of the glorious prehistory of Rome and instead foregrounds Vergil's enigmatic style and questioning of the heroic myths.

With an approach to the text that is both grounded in scholarship and intensely personal, and in a style both rhetorically elegant and passionate, Johnson offers readings of specific passages that are nuanced and suggestive as he focuses on the "somber and nourishing fictions" in Vergil's poem. A timeless work of scholarship, Darkness Visible will enthrall classicists as well as students and scholars of the history of criticism—specifically the way in which politics influence modern readings of the classics—and of poetry and literature.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Darkness Visible by W. R. Johnson receives praise for its innovative reinterpretation of the Aeneid. It challenges established perceptions, offering fresh insights not only into the text itself but also broader reflections on life. William M. Porter highlights its impact on existing beliefs surrounding these themes.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780226252230

Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 January 2015

Country: United States

Imprint: University of Chicago Press

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 1.0mm

Width: 14.0mm

Height: 23.0mm

Weight: 255g

Pages: 192

About the Author

W. R. Johnson is the John Matthews Manly Distinguished Service Professor, Emeritus, in the Department of Classics at the University of Chicago.

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