Тайноводственные смыслы в Гомеровском центоне 1-й редакции (1HC)

Abstract

The paper explores some intertextual connections in the Homeric cento of the 1st redaction (1HC). This particular version is the most interesting from this point of view. The text can be read on three levels of meaning. The first level is the narrative one, or a macrotext (a paraphrase of Gospel stories about Jesus). The second could be called a microtext. This is “stylistic”, or “epic” level, because the author imitates the style of Homer with his cliches, epic formulas and fixed epithets. The third level is philosophical, or even “mystagogical” one; it involves intertextual connections. One of the main intertextual Odyssey motives is that of the way to the Heavenly Motherland. For example, there are healing episodes where the main characters not only are healed by Jesus but they get the opportunity to return to their motherland. This idea is Neoplatonic as well. Another example of the “mystagogical” intertextuality is represented in the Cento scene of the Wedding at Cana, where two entrances to the cave are mentioned. The Cento probably alludes to the Porphyry’s treatise and reveals the “secret sense” of the scene: Jesus is the Creator of cosmos and he knows all the secret ways and entrances of Nature. The author of the article suggests that this comprehension was inspired by Neoplatonic idea that Homer is concerned in the mysteries of the universe. It was based on the decontextualisation of Homeric text and its allegorical interpretation.