Despite the resurgence of interest in representations of character in literary studies generally and Classical studies in particular, and despite the goldrush towards ancient fiction in the last two decades, no volume has yet been devoted to exploring character and characterization in ancient Greek...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben

1. Verfasser:	Temmerman, Koen de
Format:	Elektronisch E-Book
Sprache:	English
Veröffentlicht:	Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2014.
Ausgabe:	First edition.
Schlagworte:	Greek fiction, Hellenistic > History and criticism. Characters and characteristics in literature. Roman grec hellénistique > Histoire et critique. LITERARY CRITICISM > Ancient & Classical. Characters and characteristics in literature Greek fiction, Hellenistic Charakterisierung Griechisch Held Heldin Roman Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Online-Zugang:	Volltext
Zusammenfassung:	Despite the resurgence of interest in representations of character in literary studies generally and Classical studies in particular, and despite the goldrush towards ancient fiction in the last two decades, no volume has yet been devoted to exploring character and characterization in ancient Greek novels. This award-winning study analyses the characterization of the protagonists in the five extant, so-called 'ideal' Greek novels (i.e. those of Chariton, Xenophon of Ephesus, Achilles Tatius, Longus, and Heliodorus). The book offers close readings of techniques of characterization in each novel individually and thereby combines modern (mainly, but not exclusively, structuralist) narratology and ancient rhetoric, the latter of which was the predominant literary theory in the heydays of the Greek novels. The book argues that three conceptual couples central to ancient theory of character-typification/individuation, idealistic/realistic characterization, and static/dynamic character-construct character in these narratives more ambiguously, more elusively and in more complex ways than has been realized so far. The book explores to what extent and how the novelists construct individuating characteristics for their characters alongside typification; it also suggests that 'ideal' is probably not the most felicitous label to refer to these novels, as the abilities of their protagonists to acquire and develop rhetorical control over others thematizes psychologically realistic issues rather than idealistic ones; and it challenges the widely-held view of static character in these novels by tracing character development in a number of protagonists. It also makes clear how intimately presentations of character are intertwined with self-portrayal and performance of the self.
Beschreibung:	1 online resource (xx, 395 pages)
Bibliographie:	Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:	9780191509674 0191509671 9781306490801 1306490804 9780191766381 0191766380