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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 Excerpt: ...head of the seer Teiresias. The portrayal is very faithful to Homer; we have the pit, as it were a cubit in length and breadth, the prescribed sacrifice, the seated hero, the drawn sword, the attendant comrades.1 The design is executed in a large bold way, showing great mastery of outline, but already we miss something of the severity and simplicity of the old style. The attitudes and faces of all three figures are a little too elaborately expressive, the drapery too complex and sinuous, and the ornamentation on the buskins and weapons contrasts too emphatically with the simple naked forms. It is the design of an artist who worked under the influence rather of the traditions of painting than sculpture. It is noticeable that nowhere does Homer specify the manner of the coming of Teiresias, so that the artist is left fancy-free in his depiction of the ghost's advent. His choice in this particular design is certainly curious. It is but fair to add that, mainly owing to the strange ghost head, grave doubt has been thrown on the whole portrayal. It has been maintained, though I think without sufficient reason, that the head of Teiresias is interpolated, and that the scene-depicted is not the descent into Hades at all. Take away this head, and we do not need to be told what would then be the natural interpretation: the mighty, seated hero and the slaughtered sheep would be enough. The doubt, though I believe it to be needless, is worth noting, because it reminds us of the extreme caution neces 1 M' Upita )ih TlrpipijST)t Y.rpioxt rt ta%or-.... fiiffpor Spof-' Saaar rt Ttoyoiater Ma cal trBa.... ai/r&t Si (iipot i(i ipoafdfurot rapa pnipoS 1ipiV. --0d. xl 22 teq. On this question see Welcker, All Dmkmiiler trklUrt, Part III. sary in the ...

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