Homer on Life and Death [Paperback]

This book demonstrates how Homeric poetry manages to confer significance on persons and actions, interpreting the world and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Taking central themes like characterization, death, and the gods, the author argues that current ideas of the limitations of oral poetry are unreal, and that Homer embodies a view of the world both unique and profound.

Griffin's book provides the intellectual stimuli which are important for my students at the beginning level and which should prove even more thought-provoking for my honors students. -- David J. Bradshaw,Warren Wilson College

A book that anyone who cares about Homer should own...It is clearly one of the best English language studies on the subject --The Classical Outlook

Griffin has faith in the validity of instinctive responses to the poetry of Homer and demonstrates that an intelligent and sensitive appreciation not only remains possible, but now has become more necessary than ever. --American Journal of Philology