Overview

From the Odyssey and King Lear to modern novels by Umberto Eco and John le Carré, the recognition scene has enjoyed a long life in western literature. It first became a regular feature of prose literature in the Greek novels of the first century CE. In these examples, it is the event that ensures the happy ending for the hero and heroine, and as such, it seems, was as pleasing for Greek readers as the canonical Hollywood kiss is for contemporary movie goers. Recognitions are particularly gratifying in the context of the ancient novels because the genre as a whole celebrates the idyllic social order to which the heroes and heroines belong and from which they have been harshly severed. In spite of their high frequency and thematic importance, novelistic recognitions have attracted little critical attention, especially in relation to epic and tragedy. With Love and Providence, Silvia Montiglio seeks to fill this gap. She begins by introducing the meaning of recognitions in the ancient novel both within the novels' narrative structure and thought world--that is, the values and ideals propounded in the narrative. She pursues these goals while examining novels by Chariton, Xenophon of Ephesus, Achilles Tatius, Longus, Heliodorus, Apuleius, and Petronius, as well as the Life of Apollonius of Tyre, the pseudo-Clementine recognitions, and the Jewish novel Joseph and Aseneth. In addition to addressing questions brought about by the recognitions--What does it mean for lovers to recognize each other at the end of their adventures? Is recognition the confirmation of sameness or an acknowledgement of change?--Montiglio addresses the rapport novelists entertain with their literary tradition, epic and drama. The book concludes by emphasizing the originality of the novels for the development of the recognition motif, and by explaining its influence in early-modern European literature.

Full Product Details

Author:   Silvia Montiglio (Basil L. Gildersleeve Professor of Classics, Basil L. Gildersleeve Professor of Classics, Johns Hopkins University)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press Inc
Imprint:   Oxford University Press Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 23.90cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 15.50cm
Weight:   0.494kg
ISBN:  

9780199916047

ISBN 10:   0199916047
Pages:   272
Publication Date:   22 November 2012
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
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Table of Contents

Preface Introduction Chapter 1. True Love and Immediate Recognition Callirhoe: Something in the Way She Breathes The Ephesiaca: Slow and Quick Eyes Chapter 2. Beauty, Dress, and Identity Leucippe and Clitophon: Teasing Expectations Daphnis and Chloe: Too Beautiful to Be Shepherds Chapter 3. Reading Identity: Recognitions in the Aethiopica First, Misidentifications The Recognition of Chariclea Reading Recognitions Chapter 4. A Gift of Providence? Recognitions in Two Roman Novels The Satyrica: Recognition and Capture The Golden Ass: Recognition and Return Chapter 5. From the Pagan Novels to Early Jewish and Christian Narratives: Refashioning Recognition Telling my whole life with his words: Recognitions in Apollonius of Tyre Who are you? Joseph and Aseneth, or It Is Impossible to Recognize a Convert Recognition of Family and Recognition of God in the Pseudo-Clementine Recognitions Dress and Recognition: A Novelistic Motif Becomes Christian Epilogue. The Greek Novel in the History of the Recognition Motif Tragedy and Comedy Future Influences: Highlights Bibliography Index

Reviews

<br> This is an excellent and original work of scholarship, which will be a major contribution to the field of ancient novel studies, demonstrating with splendid range and coverage, and with lively and persuasive analysis, that the significance of the theme of recognition has been thoroughly underestimated for the ancient novel. A must-read for scholars, which students will also find attractive. --Stephen Harrison, Oxford University<p><br> Montiglio's book combines wonderfully subtle and perceptive close readings of recognition scenes in ancient novels with an original and convincing 'big argument' that demonstrates the richness and individuality of these marvellous texts. This is a fine achievement, which confirms fiction as one of the most exciting areas of classical scholarship. --J. R. Morgan, Swansea University<p><br>

Montiglio's monograph is an excellent analysis of a neglected theme of the ancient novel. * James Pletcher,Journal of Roman Studies * This is an excellent and original work of scholarship, which will be a major contribution to the field of ancient novel studies, demonstrating with splendid range and coverage, and with lively and persuasive analysis, that the significance of the theme of recognition has been thoroughly underestimated for the ancient novel. A must-read for scholars, which students will also find attractive. * Stephen Harrison, Oxford University * Montiglio has provided a rich and thought-provoking book, which will be of major interest to scholars of the ancient novel and scholars of ancient fiction in general. * Annelies Bossu, Hermathena *

Author Information

Silvia Montiglio is Basil L. Gildersleeve Professor of Classics at Johns Hopkins University.

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