The messenger-boukolos in Euripide’s Iphigenia in Tauris and Bacchae

The article aims to present an analysis of the scenes of the messengers-boukoloi in Euripides’ Iphigenia in Tauris (238-339) and Bacchae (660-774), highlighting, in the respective narratives and thanks to the comparison with other literary sources, similarities that could represent peculiar traits...

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Main Author: Sara Troiani
Format: Article
Language:Portuguese
Published: Coimbra University Press 2023-11-01
Series:Humanitas
Subjects:
Online Access:https://impactum-journals.uc.pt/humanitas/article/view/13104
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author Sara Troiani
author_facet Sara Troiani
author_sort Sara Troiani
collection DOAJ
description The article aims to present an analysis of the scenes of the messengers-boukoloi in Euripides’ Iphigenia in Tauris (238-339) and Bacchae (660-774), highlighting, in the respective narratives and thanks to the comparison with other literary sources, similarities that could represent peculiar traits of a supposed stock character: 1. Alongside a description of the boukolos as a naive and highly suggestible man, exists an opposite characterization, which depicts the cowherd as a cunning and deceitful individual; 2. The facts narrated appear strange and unusual from the point of view of the narrators; 3. Both narratives report the description of the attack on cattle carried out by human beings, respectively Orestes and the Theban bacchants, made insane by divine possession. In the scene of the herd massacre, particularly, Orestes and the maenads are described as leon (IT 297) and kynes (Ba. 731), two animals traditionally linked to pastoral imaginary; however, their behaviour is unusual, further emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the events that the two boukoloi witnessed.
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spelling doaj.art-841997337a434be79baec37f92538f842023-11-22T15:09:56ZporCoimbra University PressHumanitas0871-15692183-17182023-11-018210.14195/2183-1718_82_1The messenger-boukolos in Euripide’s Iphigenia in Tauris and BacchaeSara Troiani0University of Coimbra, CECH The article aims to present an analysis of the scenes of the messengers-boukoloi in Euripides’ Iphigenia in Tauris (238-339) and Bacchae (660-774), highlighting, in the respective narratives and thanks to the comparison with other literary sources, similarities that could represent peculiar traits of a supposed stock character: 1. Alongside a description of the boukolos as a naive and highly suggestible man, exists an opposite characterization, which depicts the cowherd as a cunning and deceitful individual; 2. The facts narrated appear strange and unusual from the point of view of the narrators; 3. Both narratives report the description of the attack on cattle carried out by human beings, respectively Orestes and the Theban bacchants, made insane by divine possession. In the scene of the herd massacre, particularly, Orestes and the maenads are described as leon (IT 297) and kynes (Ba. 731), two animals traditionally linked to pastoral imaginary; however, their behaviour is unusual, further emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the events that the two boukoloi witnessed. https://impactum-journals.uc.pt/humanitas/article/view/13104EuripidesIphigenia in TaurisBacchaeboukolosrhesis angelike
spellingShingle Sara Troiani
The messenger-boukolos in Euripide’s Iphigenia in Tauris and Bacchae
Humanitas
Euripides
Iphigenia in Tauris
Bacchae
boukolos
rhesis angelike
title The messenger-boukolos in Euripide’s Iphigenia in Tauris and Bacchae
title_full The messenger-boukolos in Euripide’s Iphigenia in Tauris and Bacchae
title_fullStr The messenger-boukolos in Euripide’s Iphigenia in Tauris and Bacchae
title_full_unstemmed The messenger-boukolos in Euripide’s Iphigenia in Tauris and Bacchae
title_short The messenger-boukolos in Euripide’s Iphigenia in Tauris and Bacchae
title_sort messenger boukolos in euripide s iphigenia in tauris and bacchae
topic Euripides
Iphigenia in Tauris
Bacchae
boukolos
rhesis angelike
url https://impactum-journals.uc.pt/humanitas/article/view/13104
work_keys_str_mv AT saratroiani themessengerboukolosineuripidesiphigeniaintaurisandbacchae
AT saratroiani messengerboukolosineuripidesiphigeniaintaurisandbacchae