Description
Book SynopsisIn this landmark collection of essays, renowned classicist Charles Segal offers detailed analyses of major texts from archaic and early classical Greek poetry; in particular, works of Alcman, Mimnermus, Sappho, Pindar, Bacchylides, and Corinna. Segal provides close readings of the texts, and then studies the literary form and language of early Greek lyric, the poets'' conception of their aims and their art, the use of mythical paradigms, and the relation of the poems to their social context. A recurrent theme is the recognition of the fragility and brevity of mortal happiness and the consciousness of how the immortality conferred by poetry resists the ever-threatening presence of death and oblivion, fixing in permanent form the passing moments of joy and beauty. This is an essential book for students and scholars of ancient Greek poetry.
Trade ReviewThe book offers a treasured introduction to the power and enduring relevance of her message.
These four chapters, together with Chaper 6, offer a compelling vision of the structure of the Pindaric ode, firmly rooted in American New Criticism, as well as excellent readings of the individual odes. These essays will continue to be of use for scholars with like or different concerns, both as a record of an influential strand of Pindaric scholarship ( in particular) and as fine examples of the close reading of highly wrought works. As with all books in this Rowman and Littlefield series, the collection is very reasonably priced, and this will ensure the continued dissemination of these essays... -- Nigel Nicholson, Classic Reed College, Portland Oregon * Bryn Mawr Classical Review, Vol. 9, No. 8, 1998 *
This volume brings together sixteen scattered articles on Greek lyric poetry by one of the most prolific and respected critics of classical literture in our time. . . .Some of [Segal's] finest work. . . .These essays will reward study by any serious student of Greek lyric. -- Thomas K. Hubbard, University of Texas * Religious Studies Review, Vol. 25, Issue 1 *
These four chapters, together with Chaper 6, offer a compelling vision of the structure of the Pindaric ode, firmly rooted in American New Criticism, as well as excellent readings of the individual odes. These essays will continue to be of use for scholars with like or different concerns, both as a record of an influential strand of Pindaric scholarship ( in particular) and as fine examples of the close reading of highly wrought works. As with all books in this Rowman and Littlefield series, the collection is very reasonably priced, and this will ensure the continued dissemination of these essays. -- Nigel Nicholson, Classic Reed College, Portland Oregon * Bryn Mawr Classical Review, Vol. 9, No. 8, 1998 *
