The Problem of Unity in the Story of Nisus and Euryalus (Vergilius, Aeneis 9, 176–502) Cover Image
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Az egységesség problémája a Nisus és Euryalus-epizódban (Vergilius, Aeneis 9, 176–502)
The Problem of Unity in the Story of Nisus and Euryalus (Vergilius, Aeneis 9, 176–502)

Author(s): Attila Ferenczi
Subject(s): Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Ancient World, Historical Linguistics, Philology
Published by: Akadémiai Kiadó
Keywords: the story of Nisus and Euryalus; unity; breaking the epic code; internal tensions of portraying the heroos;

Summary/Abstract: The present paper is concerned with the problem of unity through the analysis of a specific part of the Aeneid. Though the story of Nisus and Euryalus has always been one of the best known episodes of Virgil’s poem, the analysis of the story shows a striking diversity. The author of the study analyses the ways of breaking the epic code (a term used according to the definition by G. B. Conte) through the incorporation of the language of Roman love elegy and the notion of Greek (Platonic) love. The conclusion: if the interpreter does not feel a need of proving the unity of the story and is willing to accept its apparent inconsistency, the interpretation might present a fruitful tension between the poliphonic narration of the story and the striking unisono of the rhetorically enhanced conclusion (fortunati ambo…).

  • Issue Year: 53/2009
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 45-59
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Hungarian