Homer: Odyssey Books VI-VIII

This is the first self-contained edition of Odyssey Books VI–VIII which together form a popular introduction to Homer for students of Greek, containing as they do the account of Odysseus’ visit to the Phaeacians and including such famous episodes as Odysseus’ meeting with Nausicaa, and the singing of the minstrel Demodocus. While not neglecting matters of language and formulaic composition, the Commentary aims especially to provide guidance on questions of literary and narrative technique and poetic artistry. The Introduction deals with the problem of Homeric composition in general, and with the place of the Phaeacian books in the poem as a whole. There are brief section on Homeric metre and the text. The edition is intended for students beginning their study of Homer as well as for more advanced scholars.

• First self-contained edition of Books VI–VIII, which together form a popular introduction to Homer for students of Greek • Lays particular stress on questions of literary technique and poetic artistry • Rutherford’s Odyssey Books XIX–XX has sold 650 paperback copies in first year

Contents

Introduction: 1. Homer; 2. The Phaeacian books; 3. Metre; 4. The text; 5. Odyssey Book; 6. Odyssey Book; 7. Odyssey Book: 8. Commentary; Bibliography; Index.