Publications

1.  "Theoclymenus and the Poetics of Disbelief: Prophecy and its Audience in the Odyssey."  In A Californian Hymn to Homer, to be published by Rowan, Littlefield, & Co in the Spring of 2006 (currently under review).

Description:  In this 25-page article, I explore why a figure seemingly so marginal as Theoclymenus, the itinerant mantis (soothsayer) of the latter half of the Odyssey, should enjoy one of the most prestigious "introductory biographies" in all of Homer.  The article follows Theoclymenus through the poem, analysing his three prophecies in their context.  The first, to Telemachus (xv 509-538), is interpreted as an act of belevolent deception on the part of the soothsayer, whereby he gets himself "invited over" to Odysseus' house by means of a bird omen; the power of the soothsayer is discussed in relation to other Apollo-inspired professions as represented in Homer (particularly the aoidos) and in the context of the mechanics oral-formulaic verbal psychology.   The second prophecy, to Penelope, is shown (with reference to Odysseus' and Penelope's interview in Book 19) to be a similar attempt on the part of Theoclymenus, but one which fails on account of his second audience's greater familiarity with the arts of rhetoric and/or poetry. The third prophecy, to the Suitors, is shown to be thematically related to the atasthalia-ridden episode of the Cattle of the Sun; we observe here a "narratological zeugma" in which the narrator of the poem and the prophesying Theoclymenus temporarily blur.  I conclude that, though the role of Theoclymenus is minor in comparison to those of other characters, he nevertheless fullfils an important ideological and narratological function in the Odyssey: as the one figure in the Ithacan part of the poem with professional links to the rhapsode, he is able to comment upon and (through his performance of prophecy) clarify the ethical character of his audiences.  In responding positively to Theoclymenus, Telemachus demonstrates his weakminded good qualities; in responding noncommitally to Theoclymenus, Penelope shows off her strongminded rhetorical skill; in rejecting Theoclymenus, the Suitors confirm their atasthalia once and for all, whereupon vengeance swiftly follows.

2.  Review of P. A. Draper, Iliad: Book I: A Commentary (U Michigan 2002) in Classical Outlook 81.2 (Winter 2004), p. 38.

Description:  In this 1000-word review, I carefully describe the format of the textbook, especially its introductory material (grammar, plot summary, Homeric Question, bibliography), its page-by-page layout (especially the large number of glosses, scansion, etc.), and end-matter (vocabulary).   I recommend it for use by upper-level high school classes, by first-year Introductory Greek courses, or by enthusiasts reading Homer on their own; but suggest it may be too detailed for more advanced classes.  (They quoted amply from this review on the U Michigan site!) [download the .pdf text]