The Politeness of Achilles: Off-Record Conversation Strategies in Homer and the Meaning of Kertomia

Journal of Hellenic Studies 124:75-89 (2004)
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Abstract

This article examines social interaction in Homer in the light of modern conversation analysis, especially Grice's theory of conversational implicature. Some notoriously problematic utterances are explained in terms of their significance. One particular off-record conversation strategy is characterized by Homer as kertomia, and this is discussed in detail. The article focusses on social problems at the end of Achilles' meeting with Priam in Iliad 24, and in particular on the much-discussed word (24.649)

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10.2307/3246151

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Citations of this work

The Dramatization of Emotions in Iliad 24.552–658.Ruobing Xian - 2020 - Philologus: Zeitschrift für Antike Literatur Und Ihre Rezeption 164 (2):181-196.

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References found in this work

Pragmatics.S. C. Levinson - 1983 - Tijdschrift Voor Filosofie 49 (3):531-532.
Iliad 24.649: Another Solution.P. V. Jones - 1989 - Classical Quarterly 39 (01):247-.
A residual problem in Iliad 24.J. T. Hooker - 1986 - Classical Quarterly 36 (01):32-.

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