Myth and Poetry in Lucretius

Myth and Poetry in Lucretius

by Monica R. Gale
Myth and Poetry in Lucretius

Myth and Poetry in Lucretius

by Monica R. Gale

Paperback

$56.99 
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Overview

Lucretius' De Rerum Natura is a philosophical epic, devoted to the exposition of Epicurean philosophy. Since the system was materialistic, and highly critical of myth and poetry, Lucretius' use of mythological language and imagery is surprising. Dr. Gale considers the poem against the background of earlier and contemporary views of myth, and suggests that Lucretius was well aware of the tension between his two roles as poet and philosopher, and attempted to resolve it by developing a bold and innovative theory of myth and poetry.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780521036801
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication date: 05/21/2007
Series: Cambridge Classical Studies
Pages: 276
Product dimensions: 5.63(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.63(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; List of abbreviations; Introduction; 1. The philosophical background: Greek myth and mythology; 2. The cultural background: myth and belief in late Republican Rome; 3. The literary background: the De Rerum Natura as epic; 4. Lucretius' theory of myth; 5. Latent myth in the De Rerum Natura; 6. The proem and the plague; Conclusion: myth as a poetic and philosophical tool; Bibliography; General Index; Index of passages cited.
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