Oral-Formulaic Theory: Annotated Bibliography

Thomas G. Rosenmeyer. "The Formula in Early Greek Poetry." Arion, 4:295-311.

Distinguishes between "hard Parryism," strict adherence to the Parry-Lord doctrine as originally formulated, and a "soft" version which allows substitution to proceed under the aegis of aesthetic principles. Feels the lyric genre imitates Homeric diction consciously, that formulaic density does not prove Homer's orality, and that Hesiod's dictional peculiarities arise from his variant world view.
Area: AG