Natural Narratology and the Oral Structure of Narrative Genres in Ancient Greece

Abstract

Monika Fludernik’s model of natural narratology implies a new understanding of ‘narrativity’ and ‘experientiality’, and provides a paradigm for structuring different modes of speech on the basis of cognitive frames of reading (Fludernik 1996: XI). Having prepared the scheme, she gives a thorough analysis of discourses that in the past received little attention, such as oral or pseudo-oral types of storytelling. Thus, Fludernik concentrates her effort on scrutinising literature, especially as a species of language usage (as a personal or vicarious type of storytelling). This model applies particularly well to the narrative genres of ancient Greece as it allows us to view epic and early literary writings (Ryan 1998) in new light with regard to their structure (i.e. episodic structure), purposes (i.e. public performance) and recipients (i.e. audience). This paper will address some of the above issues as exemplified by the Homeric epic and literary writings of Herodotus of Halicarnassus. In the course of the presentation the episodic structure of the Iliad will be recalled and denoted using cognitive parameters, which could contribute to understanding of the poetic strategy of reception. Also, the experiential model of narrative in Herodotus’ Histories will be shown to prove the prose writer’s stratagem of ‘naturalness’ in front of an audience largely familiar with the long existence of oral storytelling which could be poetic as well as prosaic.