Oral-Formulaic Theory: Annotated Bibliography

Richard Janko. "Equivalent Formulae in the Greek Epos." Mnemosyne, 34:251-64.

Building largely on the work of Parry, attempts an explanation of Hainsworth's observation that particular formulae tend to recur within short stretches of the Iliad. Concludes that such a distribution supports no artistic scheme of analysis, but only the fact that memory of a previous choice of formulaic epithet influenced the poet's choice between equivalent formulae.
Area: AG