R 65,T 5This dissertation examines the attitudes of Homer and Virgil toward the agricultural life. In the Iliad and the Odyssey Homer displays a special interest in bridging the heroic distance between the world of the warrior and that of the common laborer in his audience. By the use of agricultural similes, the description of Achilles' shield, and other digressions, Homer presents in the Iliad the peaceful life of the farmer as an attractive alternative to the heroic code. In the Odyssey Homer elevates the dignity of the agricultural life by his characterization of Eumaeus the swineherd, whom the poet casts in a heroic light. Homer also shows that Odysseus and his father Laertes are themselves well acquainted with the techniques of farming. / In the Georgics Virgil glorifies the life of the farmer in heroic terms. The victory of the farmer's labor is described with martial imagery, as a battle that is won at heavy cost. The farmer appears as a strong and moral hero who is responsible for Rome's greatness. Virgil stresses in particular two qualities of the farmer that make him noble, his inner peace and his willingness to fight for Rome's defense. The Aeneid stresses many of the same virtues that are seen in the Georgics, such as the importance of labor, simplicity, and bravery, all of which Virgil associates with the agricultural way of life. Virgil's epic shows that Rome was built upon the native Italians, whom the poet describes as hearty rustics at home with either the sword or the plow. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-08, Section: A, page: 2207. / Major Professor: Will White de Grummond. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_77822 |
| Contributors | Goins, Scott Edmund., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 145 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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