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The Return of Ulysses
A Cultural History of Homer's Odyssey
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The Return of Ulysses
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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?
Ideal for readers interested in classical literature, cultural studies, and the lasting impact of ancient myths on contemporary art and storytelling.
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See moreThe adventures of Ulysses/Odysseus are amongst the most durable in human culture. This title explains the Homer's epic in terms of its susceptibility to adaptation.
The adventures of Ulysses/Odysseus are amongst the most durable in human culture. This title explains the Homer's epic in terms of its susceptibility to adaptation.
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
Whether they focus on the bewitching song of the Sirens, his cunning escape from the cave of the terrifying one-eyed Cyclops, or the vengeful slaying of the suitors of his beautiful wife Penelope, the stirring adventures of Ulysses/Odysseus are amongst the most durable in human culture. The picaresque return of the wandering pirate-king is one of the most popular texts of all time, crossing East-West divides and inspiring poets and filmmakers worldwide.
But why, over three thousand years, has the Odyssey's appeal proved so remarkably resilient and long-lasting? Edith Hall explains the enduring fascination of Homer's epic in terms of its extraordinary susceptibility to adaptation. Not only has the story reflected a myriad of different agendas, but—from the tragedies of classical Athens to modern detective fiction, film, travelogue, and opera—it has seemed perhaps uniquely fertile in generating new artistic forms.
Cultural texts as diverse as Joyce's Ulysses, Suzanne Vega's Calypso, Monteverdi's Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria, the Coen Brothers' O Brother Where Art Thou?, Daniel Vigne's Le Retour de Martin Guerre, and Anthony Minghella's Cold Mountain all show that Odysseus is truly a versatile hero. His travels across the wine-dark Aegean are journeys not just into the mind of one of the most brilliantly creative of all the ancient Greek writers. They are as much a voyage beyond the limits of a narrative which can plausibly lay claim to being the quintessential global phenomenon.
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?
Praised by esteemed scholars, the book is lauded as a major contribution to understanding Homer’s influence in modern culture. Reviewers commend Hall's rich, seamless approach and describe the work as both enlightening and entertaining, combining sharp, surprising observations with good humour and accessibility that bridges the ages.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781780762357
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 July 2012
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: I.B. Tauris
Illustration: 16 b/w illustrations in 8pp plate section
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 20.0mm
Width: 154.0mm
Height: 232.0mm
Weight: 480g
Pages: 322
Collections
About the Author
Edith Hall is Professor of Classics at King's College London. She is the author, co-author and editor of many books in the field - including the Penguin Classics' translation of Sophocles' Antigone, Oedipus the King and Electra - and regularly contributes to TV, radio and professional theatre.
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