The Moods of Homeric Greek

by Jo Willmott

Overview

Homeric Greek has a particularly rich system of moods which are analysed in this 2007 book in the light of theoretical interest in the semantic domain of modality. The domain is one of the most complex and interesting, since modal forms are used for the most 'subjective' of messages, expressing our beliefs, intentions, desires, abilities and wishes. Incorporating findings from the theory of grammaticalisation, this study considers the Homeric Greek modal system from a diachronic perspective and offers a radical revision of traditional accounts. Providing insights into both individual constructions as well as the overall system of modality in Greek, it will be of interest to general linguists, linguists studying ancient Greek, and also scholars interested in fundamental questions of meaning in Greek. The indices, where all the instances of the moods in the Homeric poems are categorised into types, also make it useful as a research tool.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521879880
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/29/2007
Series:	Cambridge Classical Studies
Pages:	278
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.67(d)

About the Author

Jo Willmott is a Research Fellow at Queen's College, Cambridge, and an Affiliate Lecturer in the Classics Faculty at the University of Cambridge.

Table of Contents

1. Preliminaries; 2. Theoretical framework; 3. Indicative; 4. Subjunctive; 5. Optative; 6. Subordinate uses; 7. Conclusion.

Editorial Reviews

"...this work has superseded much that has come before it and set a new benchmark in the analysis and description of Greek modality. It is the most theoretically sophisticated and empirically detailed account of the Greek moods that I am aware of. This book is thus a welcome addition to a growing body of work by young classicists revealing just how inadequate the traditional grammars are, especially when it comes to semantics and pragmatics. These areas are ripe for more exciting discoveries in the coming years." —BMCR

From the Publisher