『イリアス』と『オデュッセイア』の関係に関する一考察 : Usener の試みを踏まえて

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relation between the Iliad and the Odyssey. It is based on a review of Usener's work "Beobachtungen zum Verhaltnis der Odyssee zur Ilias". The relation between the Iliad and the Odyssey has been disputed by many scholars, and Iterata, especially, have provoked a great deal of controversy. Since Parry's 'Oral Poetry Theory' appeared, however, scholars have disregarded the relation between the epics. In these conditions, Usener made a new approach in distinguishing between a 'typical scene' and an 'individual scene' and in regarding the latter as a reflection of the originality of the poet. First of all, we have to review his work. He set up 15 significant themes like Achilles and Telemachos, Questioning about Return, The Death of Achilles, The Monologue of Odysseus, Hermes, and so on, contrasting them, and concluding that the poet of Odyssey was well informed of the Iliad, and tried to rival creatively the poet of the Iliad, and its text existed in the making of Odyssey. Second we must ask whether his method is appropriate. Reviewing his work makes it clear that he is wrong to separate 'individual scene' from 'typical scene'. In some cases, the former is used as a part of the latter. They are constructed in such a complicated and close way that they cannot be separated. His mistake derives from a neglect of 'Oral Poetry Theory'. It can explain not only simple combinations of words, but also more complicated systems in constructing lines and passages. It follows from the above that both epics have the same complicated system of construction and, in this respect, should be regarded as akin.