The Iliad: Commentary v1 Bk 1-4: A Commentary: Volume 1, Books 1-4 - Softcover

Kirk

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521281717 ISBN 13: 9780521281713

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

This Commentary will be an essential reference work for all students of Greek literature.

About this title

Review

'The two great contributions of this volume are on the one hand the account of the Catalogues in Book Two, and on the other the close and rewarding attention which is paid to questions of rhythm. Again and again Kirk brings out effects ... created by the variation of rhythm ... It is in this area that I have learnt most from this commentary, and I regard it as a major advance of the sort which, once made, must be followed by all subsequent Homerists ... All those who read Homer will find new and illuminating observations both of fine detail and on a larger scale. The complete commentary will be a valuable possession.' Jasper Griffin, The Times Literary Supplement

'[Professor Kirk] demonstrates and assesses the poet's individual skill in composition, tacitly correcting the extreme Parryist view that Homer merely manipulated pre-existing formulas. This is highly original. The section of the Introduction devoted to it ... offers the best analysis of the mechanics of Homeric poetry that this reviewer has read.' M. M. Willcock, Journal of Hellenic Studies

'Kirk's chief merit as an expositor is his awareness of the subtlest nuances of poetic technique ... The introduction and commentary as a whole form an excellent companion to Books 1-4.' J. T. Booker, JACT Review

Book Description

This is the first volume of a projected six-volume Commentary on Homer's Iliad, under the General Editorship of professor G. S. Kirk. Professor Kirk himself is the editor of the present volume, which covers the first four Books of Iliad.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521281717
• ISBN 13: 9780521281713
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 436