Para-Narratives

Abstract

Abstract The Iliad is made up of narratives, primary and secondary. The primary narrative is told in the voice of the poet/narrator, and the secondary narratives in the voices of his characters. The main plot of the primary narrative needs no rehearsal. Everyone knows that its principal elements are the quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles, Achilles’ rejection of Agamemnon’s first attempt at reconciliation, Patroclus’ return to battle and his death, reconciliation between Agamemnon and Achilles, Achilles’ vengeance for the death of Patroclus, Patroclus’ funeral, and the ransom by Priam of Hector’s corpse from Achilles. None of these elements could be omitted without destroying the coherence of the primary narrative. Alongside the main plot and amplifying it in a number of ways are the para-narratives which are my concern. These could be omitted without disturbing the course of the primary narrative: their function is artistic. Some of these (2.2. I) are related in the poet’s own voice, others (2.2.2) are told by his characters,and all exert influence, directly or indirectly, on the audience’s reception of the text.