Body Language: The Limits of Communication between Mortals and Immortals in the Homeric Hymns

Body Language: The Limits of Communication between Mortals and Immortals in the Homeric Hymns

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Buchholz, Bridget Susan
Language:English
Published: The Ohio State University / OhioLINK 2009
Subjects:
Classical Studies
GREEK RELIGION
HOMERIC HYMNS
ANTHROPOMORPHISM
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259726394
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-osu12597263942021-08-03T05:57:37Z Body Language: The Limits of Communication between Mortals and Immortals in the Homeric Hymns Buchholz, Bridget Susan Classical Studies GREEK RELIGION HOMERIC HYMNS ANTHROPOMORPHISM This project explores issues of communication as represented in the Homeric Hymns. Drawing on a cognitive model, which provides certain parameters and expectations for the representations of the gods, in particular, for the physical representations their bodies, I examine the anthropomorphic representation of the gods. I show how the narratives of the Homeric Hymns represent communication as based upon false assumptions between the mortals and immortals about the body. I argue that two methods are used to create and maintain the commonality between mortal bodies and immortal bodies; the allocation of skills among many gods and the transference of displays of power to tools used by the gods. However, despite these techniques, the texts represent communication based upon assumptions about the body as unsuccessful. Next, I analyze the instances in which the assumed body of the god is recognized by mortals, within a narrative. This recognition is not based upon physical attributes, but upon the spoken self identification by the god. Finally, I demonstrate how successful communication occurs, within the text, after the god has been recognized. Successful communication is represented as occurring in the presence of ritual references. That is, when the text contains elements that refer to ritual, whether or not these elements can be linked to any "real" ritual outside the text, communication between mortals and immortals is represented as being successful. It is successful in that it leads to the completion of an action to the satisifaction of both sides. I conclude that the Homeric Hymns offer as a message to their audience (both the mortal and immortal audience) a lesson about proper communication between gods and humans. 2009 English text The Ohio State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259726394 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259726394 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Classical Studies
GREEK RELIGION
HOMERIC HYMNS
ANTHROPOMORPHISM
spellingShingle Classical Studies
GREEK RELIGION
HOMERIC HYMNS
ANTHROPOMORPHISM
Buchholz, Bridget Susan
Body Language: The Limits of Communication between Mortals and Immortals in the Homeric Hymns
author Buchholz, Bridget Susan
author_facet Buchholz, Bridget Susan
author_sort Buchholz, Bridget Susan
title Body Language: The Limits of Communication between Mortals and Immortals in the Homeric Hymns
title_short Body Language: The Limits of Communication between Mortals and Immortals in the Homeric Hymns
title_full Body Language: The Limits of Communication between Mortals and Immortals in the Homeric Hymns
title_fullStr Body Language: The Limits of Communication between Mortals and Immortals in the Homeric Hymns
title_full_unstemmed Body Language: The Limits of Communication between Mortals and Immortals in the Homeric Hymns
title_sort body language: the limits of communication between mortals and immortals in the homeric hymns
publisher The Ohio State University / OhioLINK
publishDate 2009
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259726394
work_keys_str_mv AT buchholzbridgetsusan bodylanguagethelimitsofcommunicationbetweenmortalsandimmortalsinthehomerichymns
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