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Forms of Astonishment - Greek Myths of Metamorphosis (Paperback)
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Forms of Astonishment - Greek Myths of Metamorphosis (Paperback)
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In this illustrated study Richard Buxton analyses Greek literary
narratives and visual representations of the metamorphosis of
humans and gods, as evidenced from Homer to Nonnos. Such tales have
become familiar in their Ovidian dress, as in the best-selling
translation by Ted Hughes; Buxton explores their Greek antecedents.
He investigates such issues as: How do different contexts shape the
way in which metamorphosis is narrated? How do the assumptions of
commentators about 'strangeness' affect how metamorphosis is
interpreted? How far should an interpreter allow 'contextual
charity' to render more acceptable a belief such as that in
metamorphosis? What are the implications of the notions of
'astonishment' (Greek: thambos) in a range of narratives about
transformation? Throughout Forms of Astonishment Buxton draws
comparisons between the Greek evidence and data from other
religious traditions, ancient and modern; he also introduces
comparative material from the sciences, from modern painting and
literature, and from the cinema and computer graphics. In
investigating metamorphoses of gods Buxton revisits the concept of
anthropomorphism, arguing that the fact that Greek divinities were
believed to change shape does not undermine the fundamentally
humanlike form of Greek divinity. He also examines certain strands
of Greek tradition, particularly among the philosophers, which
called metamorphosis into question, whether in relation to the gods
or to humans. Individual chapters deal with transformations into
the landscape and into plants or trees-in the latter case
transformation stories are set against a background of cultural
beliefs about 'seminal' substances such as blood and tears.
Overall, Forms of Astonishment raises issues relevant to an
understanding of broad aspects of Greek culture, and illuminates
issues explored by anthropologists and students of religion.
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