Nature and Culture in the Iliad: The Tragedy of Hector

By focusing on the story of Hector, James M. Redfield presents an imaginative perspective not only on the Iliad but also on the whole of Homeric culture. In an expansive discussion informed by a reinterpretation of Aristotle's Poetics and a reflection on the human meaning of narrative art, the analysis of Hector leads to an inquiry into the fundamental features of Homeric culture and of culture generally in its relation to nature. Through Hector, as the "true tragic hero of the poem," the events and themes of the Iliad are understood and the function of tragedy within culture is examined. Redfield's work represents a significant application of anthropological perspectives to Homeric poetry. Originally published in 1975 (University of Chicago Press), this revised edition includes a new preface and concluding chapter by the author.

Author: James M. Redfield
Publisher: Duke University Press
Published: 03/11/1994
Pages: 336
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9780822314226

About the Author

James M. Redfield is Howard L. Willett Professor of Social Thought and Classics at the University of Chicago.