Biography Of Homer Essay, Research Paper
Biography of Homer (?-? BC)
Beyond a few fragments of information, historians and classicists can only speculate about the life of the man who composed the Iliad and the Odyssey. The details are few. We do not even know the century in which he lived, and it is difficult to say with absolute certainty that the same poet composed both works. The Greeks attributed both of the epics to the same man, and we have little hard evidence that would make us doubt the ancient authorities, but uncertainty is a constant feature of scholarly work dealing with Homer’s era of Greek history.
The Greeks hailed him as their greatest poet, as well as their first. Although the Greeks recognized other poets who composed in Greek before Homer, no texts from these earlier poets survived. Perhaps they were lost, or perhaps they were never written down‹Homer himself was probably on the cusp between the tradition of oral poetry and the new invention of written language. Texts of the Iliad and the Odyssey existed from at least the sixth century BC, and probably for a considerable span of time before that. These two great epic poems also had a life in performance: through the centuries, professional artists made their living by reciting Homer, performing the great epics for audiences that often know great parts of the poem by heart.
It is impossible to pin down with any certainty when Homer lived. Eratosthenes gives the traditional date of 1184 BC for the end of the Trojan War, the semi-mythical event which forms the basis for the Iliad. The great Greek historian Herodotus put the date at 1250 BC. These dates were arrived at in a very approximate manner; Greek historians usually used genealogy and estimation when trying to find the dates for events in the distant past. But Greek historians were far less certain about the dates for Homer’s life. Some said he was a contemporary of the events of the Iliad, while others placed him sixty or a hundred or several hundred years afterward. Herodotus estimated that Homer lived and wrote in the ninth century BC. He almost certainly lived in one of the Greek city-states in Asia Minor. All of the traditional sources say that he was blind.
Over the course of millennia of scholarly speculation, prevailing theories about Homer and his relationship to his work have had time to change and change again. At various times over the centuries, scholars have suggested that he was only a transmitter, or that he never existed, and the epics attributed to him were the patchwork effort of generations of bards. Modern scholars, however, tend to accept that the Iliad and the Odyssey are more than amalgams handed down from antiquity, and that there was in fact a great poet who had a hand in creating these epics in the forms we know today. Current scholarship holds that Homer was a great bard who lived between the eighth and seventh centuries BC. Although there is little doubt that Homer inherited a massive amount of material from generations of bards before him, most scholars believe now that Homer was an innovator and an original artist as well as a transmitter. Writing probably played a role in the composition of his great poems. Current theories depict Homer as a master of oral poetry who used the new invention of writing to aid him in composing epics on a grander scale than had ever been done before. There are signs in the Iliad that might suggest unfinished revision; these massive projects may have been reworked again and again over the course of the poet’s whole life. A performer as well as a poet, Homer may have composed the poems through a mixture of utilizing old material, writing and revising, and oral improvisation.
Little can be known with certainty. But even though the details of Homer’s life remain‹and probably will always remain‹an enigma, his great epics come down to us intact. His works have formed a foundation for all the Western literature that has followed, and his characters and stories have had an impact on three thousand years’ worth of readers. Facts about the poet’s life can do little to add to that legacy. Legend says that as a child, Alexander the Great slept with a copy of the Iliad under his pillow‹and the fact that Alexander was neither the first nor the last boy to do so says more about Homer’s genius than any biography could, no matter how detailed or complete.
Другие работы по теме:
John Steinbeck Biography Essay Research Paper John
John Steinbeck Biography Essay, Research Paper John Ernst Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California, on February 27, 1902 of German and Irish ancestry. His father, John Steinbeck, Sr., served as the County Treasurer while his mother, Olive (Hamilton) Steinbeck, a former school teacher, fostered Steinbeck’s love of reading and the written word.
Biography Of John Steinbeck Essay Research Paper
Biography of John Steinbeck John Steinbeck was born in 1902, in California’s Salinas Valley, a region that would eventually serve as the setting for Of Mice and Men as well as many of his other works. He studied literature and writing at Stanford University, but disenrolled in 1925, after six years, without a degree.
Karl Marx Biography Essay Research Paper Karl
Karl Marx Biography Essay, Research Paper Karl Marx Karl Marx was born on May 5, 1818 in the city of Trier, Germany. Marx was a revolutionary who advocated “merciless criticism of
BiographyWilliam Shakespeare Essay Research Paper Biography William
Biography:William Shakespeare Essay, Research Paper Biography: William Shakespeare William Shakespeare, playwright, whose work stands to be the most translated non-religious literature ever was born on April 23rd, 1564 and was baptized the day after in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. He was the third of eight children born into the family of John Shakespeare-a well known merchant, and Mary Arden.
Jerry Seinfeld Essay Research Paper 981208BiographyThe person
Jerry Seinfeld Essay, Research Paper 98/12/08 Biography The person I chose to do my independent reading project on Jerry Seinfeld. The reason I did Jerry was I love his show, and I think he is one of the best comedians today and probably ever.
HG Wells Biography Essay Research Paper HG
H.G. Wells Biography Essay, Research Paper H.G. Wells (www.remotecom.se H.G. Wells) (Times Literary Supplement, “In defence of H.G. Wells) (The Nation, “The Fabians Were Not Amused”)
Ronald Reagan 2 Essay Research Paper Dutch
Ronald Reagan 2 Essay, Research Paper Dutch: A Memoir of Ronald Reagan The task of writing a biography on a President of the United States was never said to be an easy one. In fact, if one would ask writer Edmund Morris he would tell how hard it is first hand. For some individuals it would be an honor of a lifetime, for others it would be too strenuous of a task but for Edmund Morris it would be a pleasure.
A Work Of Art Essay Research Paper
A Work of ArtThough seemingly written in gibberish, Stein s reflection of Picasso is truly a work of art. She recognized his abstract art and attempted to apply it to literature. It seems very appropriate for her to mimic one of her best friends and honor him in such a way. Stein s thoughts on Picasso and the biography that she completed on him were ingenious, but they failed to mimic the work in two aspects; there was however one way in which her reflection remained germane to his artwork.
Stars Essay Research Paper Bright Star Would
Stars Essay, Research Paper Bright Star, Would I were Steadfast as Thou Art Endymion (excerpts) The Eve of St. Agnes Fancy The Human Seasons Hyperion If by Dull Rhymes our English must be Chain’d
Iliad By Homer Essay Research Paper ILIADThe
Iliad By Homer Essay, Research Paper ILIAD The Iliad is an epic poem written by Homer .Homer is traditionally believed to be the author both of the Iliad and the Odyssey , the two major epics of Greek antiquity. It is believed that Homer was a blind bard and dictated the epics. Nothing further is known about Homer as an individual , and in fact it is a matter of controversy whether a single person can be said to have written both the Iliad and the Odyssey .Linguistic and historical evidence , however , suggests that the poems were composed in the Greek settlements on the west coast of Asia Minor sometime in the second half of the 8th century BC
Stephen Crane Biography Essay Research Paper Stephen
Stephen Crane Biography Essay, Research Paper Stephen Crane Biography Stephen Crane was born in Newark, New Jersey on November 1, 1871. Stephen was the last of 14 children. His father a Methodist Minister died when he was nine. Stephen never cared much for school. He became well known as a social critic, journalist, and as a poet.
Biography Of Oedipus Essay Research Paper Oedipys
Biography Of Oedipus Essay, Research Paper Oedipys’s date of birth is unknown. He was born to Polybus and Merope, but Jocasta is his real mother. Oedipus was born in Thebes, but he spent most of his adult life in Corinth. Due to some mistakes that Oedipus makes prior to the start of the play, trouble seems to surround him later.
Charles Lindbergh Essay Research Paper Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh Essay, Research Paper Charles Lindbergh was born on February 4, 1902, in his grandfather’s house in Detroit. The son of a lawyer and U.S. congressman, he grew up on a small farm in Minnesota (Lindbergh Biography, ONL). As a child, Lindbergh showed remarkable mechanical ability. He could understand every part of his motorcycle and car as he grew older.
Biography Essay Research Paper Sam Walton is
Biography Essay, Research Paper Sam Walton is an American icon. When we think of discount stores, we think of Sam Walton. Poor boy makes good can describe Sam Walton. He came from a poor background, to become a successful businessman and the richest man in the United States. Sam Walton ruled the discount retail market.
Ben Franklin 2
Ben Franklin’s Autobiography Essay, Research Paper Ben Franklin’s autobiography was an interesting piece to read. In the form of a letter to his son, it is challenging
Biography Of George Bush Essay Research Paper
Biography Of George W. Bush George W. Bush was born on July 6th, 1946 and grew up in Midland and Houston, Texas. He went to Yale University, where he received his bachelor s degree, and Harvard Business School, where he received his MBA. From there he went on to join the Texas Air National Guard. Serving as a F-102 pilot.
Dickens Biography Essay Research Paper In the
Dickens Biography Essay, Research Paper In the Charles Dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities, symbolism in used to portray the themes though out the book. Through his characters and their actions as well as their
Lyndon B Johnson Essay Research Paper Lyndon
Lyndon B. Johnson Essay, Research Paper Lyndon B. Johnson and American Liberalism Bruce J. Schulman This brief biography of Lyndon Johnson outlined his life beginning in rural Texas and followed the ups and downs of his political career. It discusses his liberal, “active government” mentality and its implications on both domestic and foreign issues.
Arthur Ashe Essay Research Paper BiographyArthur Ashe
Arthur Ashe Essay, Research Paper Biography Arthur Ashe was a truly an important athlete in history. Ever since he was discovered at age 10 he had success written all over him. As a child Arthur won many awards. In high school there wasn?t really any competition. Arthur was so good that no one could even come close to beating him.
Edison Essay Research Paper EdisonA Biography byMatthew
Edison Essay, Research Paper Edison A Biography by Matthew Josephson Matthew Josephson does an excellent job of covering the life and works of Thomas Alva Edison. The author of the book covered every aspect of Thomas Edison?s life from the time his grandparent?s lived in the original Thirteen colonies to the point where he was born in Milan, Ohio and later up to the point where he died in 1931.
Human Comedy Essay Research Paper One Day
Human Comedy Essay, Research Paper One Day Homer Macauley signs up for a telegram delivery job and gets it. While he delivers these letters he discovers the truth about love, hope, and pain
Calvin John Biography Essay Research Paper CALVIN
Calvin John Biography Essay, Research Paper CALVIN JOHN (1509-64). When John Calvin was a boy in France, Martin Luther launched the Protestant Reformation in Germany. Two decades later Calvin became the second of the great 16th-century reformers. His work and teachings had a profound impact on the development of Christianity.
Timothy Findley Essay Research Paper Biography of
Timothy Findley Essay, Research Paper Biography of Author Timothy Findley Timothy Findley is a native of Toronto, Ontario. He was born in 1930 and grew up in the Rosedale district of Toronto. Growing up, Timothy Findley knew that he wanted to be an artist of some form. He studied dance and later acting, which had more success.
Gwendolyn Brooks Essay Research Paper Biography
Gwendolyn Brooks Essay, Research Paper Biography – Criticism Gwendolyn Brooks Gwendolyn Brooks was born to Keziah Corine Wims and David Anderson Brooks on June 17, 1917 in Topeka, Kansas. Her family moved to their permanent residence on Champlin Avenue in Chicago when Brooks was four. Shortly after their move (at the age of seven), Brooks began rhyming and by the young age of thirteen she had her first poem published.
Jesse Jackson A Brief Biography Essay Research
Paper Jesse Jackson: a Brief Biography Jesse Jackson was born on March eleventh, 1965 in Greensville, South Carolina. He has since run for president in two elections, one in 1984, and one in 1988. In the 1984 elections, he received over three million popular votes, and registered over one million new voters.
Micheal Jordan Essay Research Paper Michael
Micheal Jordan Essay, Research Paper Michael Jordan Michael Jordan is an American Professional Basketball Player . I picked Michael for my biography because I consider him to be
The Human Comedy Essay Research Paper Human
The Human Comedy Essay, Research Paper Human Maturity William Saroyan s The Human Comedy, deals with ravages of life. Due to these trials, Homer is forced to mature. How he matures is a result of facing the challenges. Two very import themes that help homer mature are family and death.