Egbert J. Bakker is Professor of Classics at Yale University. He is the author of many books, including Pointing at the Past: From Formula to Performance in Homeric Poetics and The Meaning of Meat and the Structure of the Odyssey.

Bakker insists that oral poetry be understood not in contrast to written poetry, but as one manifestation of oral speech-activity among many; the Illiad and Poetry in Speech were composed by a poet trained in oral performance. Bakker calls attention to an impressive array of parallels between Homeric and ordinary spoken language. Parts 2 and 3 of this book have taught me a great deal, even after half a century of familiarity with Homeric verse, and are certain to sharpen appreciation of Homer's style for most other readers, whether oralist or scripsist, adept or tyro.- Merritt Sale (Classical Philology)

Egbert J. Bakker is Professor of Classics at Yale University. He is the author of many books, including Pointing at the Past: From Formula to Performance in Homeric Poetics and The Meaning of Meat and the Structure of the Odyssey.

Bakker insists that oral poetry be understood not in contrast to written poetry, but as one manifestation of oral speech-activity among many; the Illiad and Poetry in Speech were composed by a poet trained in oral performance. Bakker calls attention to an impressive array of parallels between Homeric and ordinary spoken language. Parts 2 and 3 of this book have taught me a great deal, even after half a century of familiarity with Homeric verse, and are certain to sharpen appreciation of Homer's style for most other readers, whether oralist or scripsist, adept or tyro.- Merritt Sale (Classical Philology)

Egbert J. Bakker is Professor of Classics at Yale University. He is the author of many books, including Pointing at the Past: From Formula to Performance in Homeric Poetics and The Meaning of Meat and the Structure of the Odyssey.

Bakker insists that oral poetry be understood not in contrast to written poetry, but as one manifestation of oral speech-activity among many; the Illiad and Poetry in Speech were composed by a poet trained in oral performance. Bakker calls attention to an impressive array of parallels between Homeric and ordinary spoken language. Parts 2 and 3 of this book have taught me a great deal, even after half a century of familiarity with Homeric verse, and are certain to sharpen appreciation of Homer's style for most other readers, whether oralist or scripsist, adept or tyro.- Merritt Sale (Classical Philology)