Phrasing Homer. An investigation into the relation between language and cognition

Start - End 
1997 - 2000 (completed)
Department(s) 
Department of Linguistics
Research Focus 
Research Period 
Research Region 
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Research Methodology 
Additional tags 
Homer
Hexameter
Colometry
Verse structure
Sentence structure
Information structure
Intonation unit
Information unit
Epic

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Abstract

This project takes issue with the traditional, static conception of the hexameter as being composed, rather mechanically, of two cola ending obligatorily after the first or second syllable of the third foot or, alternatively, after the first syllable of the fourth foot, the caesura separating the constituent cola being defined as nothing more than “regular word-end”. An alternative approach is proposed according to which cola are considered cognitive-linguistic intonation/idea units strung together in the continuous, running style (léxis eiroménē) characteristic of the early hexa­meter, which allowed the poet to plan ahead as he went along composing his verses and developing his narrative, and allowed the audience to decompose the message and, ultimately, the story conveyed. This dynamic, cognitive conception leads to a radically different analysis and, it is hoped, appreciation of the early hexameter as an oral, or at least orally based, verse type. 

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