Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Λαογραφικές Σπουδές και Λαϊκός ΠολιτισμόςLibrary of the School of Philosophy
Supervisors info:
Μαριάνθη Καπλάνογλου, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια Λαογραφίας, Τμήμα Φιλολογίας, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή ΕΚΠΑ
Μηνάς Αλεξιάδης, Ομότιμος Καθηγητής Λαογραφίας, Τμήμα Φιλολογίας, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή ΕΚΠΑ
Βασιλική Χρυσανθοπούλου, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια Λαογραφίας, Τμήμα Φιλολογίας, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Αρχαίοι και νέοι ελληνικοί μύθοι: η περίπτωση του Ορέστη στον Γιάννη Ρίτσο
Translated title:
Ancient and modern myths: the case of Orestes in Yannis Ritsos
Summary:
The question of the relationship between Laography and Literature has kept researchers engaged since very early times, not only in Greece but at an international level, as well. In the context of this theoretical reflection, literary transformation of the ancient myth was studied and more particularly the myth of Atreides in the work of Yannis Ritsos (especially in his poem Orestes from the poetic collection “Fourth Dimension”) and the questions that arise from this literary representation in its particular social and even political context. Particular emphasis is given to the folkloric background of the mythical motifs and symbols that Ritsos uses, thus showing his deepest relationship not only with the ancient myth but also with the popular culture.
More particularly, in my thesis I addressed the definition and composition of the myth as a narrative genre in the context of folk theory and research (starting from Nikolaos Politis’s approach and reaching the analysis of Lauri Honko and Alan Dundes). Moreover, I was interested in the basic conceptual tools of Modern Greek Literature for the study of literary myths. Afterwards, I cited the basic characteristics of the Greek myth and I looked into the way the myth of Atreides was perceived by Yannis Ritsos and more particularly in the poem Orestes. It is well known that the "Fourth Dimension" signifies, not only a more mature poetic period for Yannis Ritsos but is also the official introduction of ancient Greek mythology in his work. After a short introduction in the myth of Atreides, the way the poet perceives the myth through the identification of similarities and differences of poem’s motifs with their corresponding ancient Greek models was investigated.
Subsequently, comparative data was provided regarding the choice of monologue, space, time and heroic personae of the modern work. Special emphasis was put on the time and historical context, as the return to the ancient myth has particular interpretative starting points, linked with social, political and humane issues of the era and the ideological identity of every literature.
In terms of methodology, I relied on bibliographical and comparative studies of relevant ancient and modern Greek myths that bring out prominence to the cultural dynamism and permit interpretation of the characters.
Main subject category:
Geography - Anthropology - Folklore
Keywords:
Laography, Literature, ancient Greek myth, myth of Atreides, symbols, motifs, Yannis Ritsos, Fourth Dimension, Orestes
Number of references:
157
