Oral-Formulaic Theory: Annotated Bibliography

Ruth H. Webber. "The Diction of the Roncesvalles Fragment." In Homenaje a Rodríguez-Moñino: Estudios de erudición que le ofrecen sus amigos o discípulos hispanistas norteamericanos, vol. 2. Madrid: Editorial Castalia. pp. 311-21.

Noting that a greater flexibility in Spanish epic meter results in greater formulaic variability, she compares diction in the "scant one hundred imperfect verses" (311) of the Roncesvalles fragment against the Cid in terms of proper names and epithets, action formulas, periphrastic constructions, formulas of reaction, expressions of grief, formulas of dialogue, and formulas of the singer's address to his audience. Also discusses line and hemistich patterning and concludes that the language of the fragment is 80% formulaic and that 80% of the lines are unenjambed.
Area: HI