Title: The reception of the legend of Hero and Leander /
Authors: Murdoch, Brian, 1944-
Year: 2019
Subjects: Hero; Leander; Hero In literature.; Leander In literature.; European literature Greek influences.; European literature History and criticism; Mythology, Greek, in literature; European literature; European literature Greek influences; Literature; Mythology, Greek, in literature
Abstract: This book is a study of the literary reception of the originally Greek love-story of Hero and Leander, examining the nature of the tale and demonstrating its longevity and huge popularity from classical times to the present, in a great variety of different genres. Chapters consider the classical versions (Ovid, Musaios, Martial), medieval and renaissance versions in various European languages, folk and literary ballads (and even a pop song), the lyric, dramatic versions, settings to music, burlesques and travesties in all genres, modern reflections of the story in (experimental) literary forms.
Contents: Hero and Leander : constants and questions -- The classical world -- Ovid (often) moralised: the middle ages -- Heroical poems : the Renaissance and after -- Ballads, folk and literary -- Focal points : reflections in the lyric -- The challenge of drama -- The waves of sea and love : Grillparzer and after -- Choice pieces of drollery : the burlesques -- Set to music : cantatas, operas, and musical plays -- Modern experiments -- Some shallow story of deep love.