Erotic Emissions in Greek Poetry: A Common Link Between Generalized Integration Networks

Abstract

I use the network model of Blending Theory to present a conceptual generalization over several case studies of imagery, belonging to three different periods of Greek love poetry: ancient Greek lyric, medieval folksongs, and two 20th century poets, Ritsos and Elytis. All these linguistic expressions intend to convey a rather immediate emotional response to an erotic stimulus. In order to enhance the cause-effect vital relation, they prompt for the construction of a number of conceptual blends, all sharing a generic common link of erotic emission. Variation in the realization of the pattern crucially relies on assigning the role of the emitter to the loved person or to an external agent, and on selecting a specification for the EMISSION image schema, like light, wind, or an object. Culture and communicative context impose further constraints that can be studied systematically.