Oral-Formulaic Theory: Annotated Bibliography

Julia H. Gaisser. "A Structural Analysis of the Digressions in the Iliad and the Odyssey." Harvard Studies in Classical Philology, 73:1-43.

Identifies three types of structural patterns in the digressions: (1) ring composition, (2) Ritornellkomposition (these first two after van Otterlo 1944a, 1944b, and 1948), and (3) the Parry-Lord theme (somewhat dependent on literary studies as well). Finds the Iliadic digressions homogeneous in style and generally cyclic, those of the Odyssey stylistically heterogeneous, with the repeated theme primarily an Odyssean feature. Postulates a diachronic development in traditional epic style from (1) to (2) to (3).
Area: AG