Oral-Formulaic Theory: Annotated Bibliography

M.J. Apthorp. The Manuscript Evidence for Interpolation in Homer. Bibliothek der Klassischen Altertumswissenschaften, Neue Folge, 2. Reihe, Band 71. Heidelberg: Carl Winter.

Agrees (pp. 56-74) with Parry that many manuscript variations are of the sort that would arise within an oral tradition. Adopts Kirk's hypothesis of accurate memorization by reciters without the aid of writing, assuming that the recoverable written tradition goes back to a unique sixth-century B.C. manuscript and that a form of oral transmission was concurrently available. Also discusses (pp. 195-200) the importance of manuscript history for formulaic analysis, literary criticism, and the Homeric Question.
Area: AG