Les rencontres érotiques dans l'épopée grecque

Abstract

Erotic encounters in early Greek epic This article examines the typical elements of erotic encounters in early Greek epic. It reconsiders previous scholarly treatments of erotic encounters in the Iliad, Odyssey, and the Homeric Hymns as type-scenes or motifs. It is argued that these erotic encounters cannot strictly be considered type-scenes, but that common motifs can indeed be discerned. A more inclusive set of eight principle motifs is proposed. All of these motifs are not necessarily present in a given erotic encounter, depending upon the narrative circumstances and the development of the scene.