Oral-Formulaic Theory: Annotated Bibliography

Bengt Alexanderson. "Homeric Formulae for Ships." Eranos, 68:1-46.

Examines phrases expressing the idea of "the ships" or "the Achaean ships" as a test of Parry's notions of formulaic economy and extension. Reviews the textual material systematically by case and by metrical position, commenting on relations between phrase boundaries and "cuts" (caesuras or diaereses). Finds a considerable amount of extension but less clear results concerning economy.
Area: AG