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The Limits of Communication Between Mortals and Immortals in the Homeric Hymns

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The Limits of Communication Between Mortals and Immortals in the Homeric Hymns Body Language: The Limits of Communication between Mortals and Immortals in the Homeric Hymns. Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Bridget Susan Buchholz, M.A. Graduate Program in Greek and Latin The Ohio State University 2009 Dissertation Committee: Sarah Iles Johnston Fritz Graf Carolina López-Ruiz Copyright by Bridget Susan Buchholz 2009 Abstract This project explores issues of communication as represented in the Homeric Hymns. Drawing on a cognitive model, which provides certain parameters and expectations for the representations of the gods, in particular, for the physical representations their bodies, I examine the anthropomorphic representation of the gods. I show how the narratives of the Homeric Hymns represent communication as based upon false assumptions between the mortals and immortals about the body. I argue that two methods are used to create and maintain the commonality between mortal bodies and immortal bodies; the allocation of skills among many gods and the transference of displays of power to tools used by the gods. However, despite these techniques, the texts represent communication based upon assumptions about the body as unsuccessful. Next, I analyze the instances in which the assumed body of the god is recognized by mortals, within a narrative. This recognition is not based upon physical attributes, but upon the spoken self identification by the god. Finally, I demonstrate how successful communication occurs, within the text, after the god has been recognized. Successful communication is represented as occurring in the presence of ritual references. That is, when the text contains elements that refer to ritual, whether or not these elements can be linked to any "real" ritual outside the text, communication between mortals and immortals is represented as being successful. It is successful in that it leads to the completion of an action to the satisifaction of both sides. ii I conclude that the Homeric Hymns offer as a message to their audience (both the mortal and immortal audience) a lesson about proper communication between gods and humans. iii Dedication Dedicated to William and Pamela Buchholz Thanks Mom and Dad iv Acknowledgements This project originated in a seminar at The Ohio State University taught by Sarah Iles Johnston and Mark Fullerton. I would like to thank all of the faculty and students who participated in the seminar Sacred Images and whose feedback helped to advance my work. In particular I would like to thank Sarah Iles Johnston who has aided me from beginning to end, reading countless drafts, providing both guidance and clarity to my ideas. Additionally, I would like to thank Fritz Graf, who first suggested that I turn my attention to the Homeric Hymns and whose feedback greatly improved my work, and Carolina López-Ruiz whose comments helped me to extend my thoughts far beyond the scope of my current project. Additionally, I would like to thank the Department of Greek and Latin for the support and opportunities over the years. I have received many opportunities over the years including a chance to present my work abroad at a conference in Sienna through the support of Focus Program in Mediterranean Religions and Cultures. I would also like to express my thanks for the support which I received from the Iles Fund and the Department of Greek and Latin to serve as a discussant at the conference Le mythe et ses interprétations: réévaluation des théories anciennes. I thank my professors and classmates at The Ohio State University for their comments over the years. I am particularly grateful to Kristen Gentile for her support and insight. v Vita June 1998…………………………...Waupun Senior High, Waupun December 2001……………………...B.A. Classics, University of Wisconsin, Madison June 2004……………………………M.A. Greek and Latin, The Ohio State University 2003 to present……………………...Graduate Teaching Associate, Department of Greek and Latin, The Ohio State University Fields of Study Major Field: Greek and Latin vi Table of Contents Abstract ...............................................................................................................................ii Dedication ..........................................................................................................................iv Acknowledgments ...............................................................................................................v Vita .....................................................................................................................................vi List of Figures .....................................................................................................................x Chapter 1: Breaking the Template: A New Approach to an Old Problem …….................1 I. Myth and Ritual ...................................................................................................3 A. Ancient Sources .....................................................................................4 B. Modern Scholarship ...............................................................................6 II. Homeric Hymns ................................................................................................11 III. Performative Context ......................................................................................14 IV. Behaviors of the Gods: Modern and Ancient Critiques ..................................22 A. Introduction ..........................................................................................22 B. The Anthropomorphic Bodies of the Gods ..........................................24 V. Anthropomorphism through the Lens of Cognitive Science ...........................30 Chapter 2: Maintaining the Humanity of the Gods: A Balancing Act ..............................44 I. Once Violation Too Many .................................................................................44 II. Allocation of Skills ...........................................................................................50 A. The Gods of the Homeric Hymns .........................................................51 B. Division of Attributes ...........................................................................55 III. Indirect Violations of the Body .......................................................................59 A. Hermes‟ Sandals and Other Modes of Transportation .........................59 B. Aphrodite‟s Tools .................................................................................69 C. Hermes: Exploiting Tools ....................................................................74 Chapter 3: Direct Violations and Epiphany ......................................................................78 I. Direct Violations of the Body ............................................................................78 A. Bonds that Will Not Hold ....................................................................79 B. Other Bonds in the Homeric Hymns ....................................................86 C. Non-human Forms ...............................................................................88 II. Epiphanies ........................................................................................................93 A. Manifestation .....................................................................................102 B. Interaction ...........................................................................................107 C. Revelation ….......................................................................................110 III. Conclusion ....................................................................................................114 Chapter 4: Perception of the Body; Enactment of Ritual ...............................................116 I. Demeter ...........................................................................................................118 A. Communication Based on the Body ...................................................118 B. Communication Based on Ritual ........................................................145 vii II. Apollo .............................................................................................................154 A. Communication Based on the Body ...................................................156 B. Communication Based on Ritual ........................................................159 C. Gods‟ Misunderstanding ....................................................................160 III. Aphrodite ......................................................................................................162 IV. Hermes ..........................................................................................................169 V. Conclusion .....................................................................................................174 Epilogue ………………………………………………………………………………..176 References .......................................................................................................................178 viii List of Figures Figure 1. Boyer's model applied to a walrus.…………………………………..….……..33 Figure 2. Boyer's model applied to an imaginary object..…………………….….….…..34 Figure 3. Boyer's model applied to the supernatural concept Aymaran Mountain…..…..37 Figure 4. Boyer's model applied to Demeter……………………………………...……..42 Figure 5. Boyer's model applied to Hermes………………..……………………...……..42 Figure 6. Boyer's
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