Penelope Buckley – författare

This book offers a new kind of analysis of Psellos' Chronographia as a rhetorical performance, as poesis, as a work in progress. It traces his developing techniques from the basic building blocks of the first two reigns to the intricate tragicomic structure of Constantine IX's; from the simple, finely judged scene in Basil II's tent to the spectacular mutual performance in the rebel Isaak's. The book focuses on role; on the interplay of genres, especially panegyric and the subgenres of drama; on metaphor; on psychology; on the visual and tactile. It contrasts Psellos' style with his more decorated orations and observes how his wide reading is metabolized into the particular and contemporary. At best, Psellos subjects his philosopher 'self' to scrutiny through the conflict and interplay of his feelings and roles in both commentary and agency; from this comes his tragicomic, empathetic, deeply ironic version of Byzantium.

This book offers a new kind of analysis of Psellos' Chronographia as a rhetorical performance, as poesis, as a work in progress. It traces his developing techniques from the basic building blocks of the first two reigns to the intricate tragicomic structure of Constantine IX's; from the simple, finely judged scene in Basil II's tent to the spectacular mutual performance in the rebel Isaak's. The book focuses on role; on the interplay of genres, especially panegyric and the subgenres of drama; on metaphor; on psychology; on the visual and tactile. It contrasts Psellos' style with his more decorated orations and observes how his wide reading is metabolized into the particular and contemporary. At best, Psellos subjects his philosopher 'self' to scrutiny through the conflict and interplay of his feelings and roles in both commentary and agency; from this comes his tragicomic, empathetic, deeply ironic version of Byzantium.

This is the first full-scale study of the literary art of Anna Komnene's Alexiad. Her history of her father's reign is well-known and much used by Byzantinists and historians of the First Crusade, but the art with which it shapes its central character has not been fully examined or understood. This book argues that the work is both history and tragedy; the characterization of Alexios I Komnenos is cumulative; it develops; the models for his idealization change; much of the action takes place in his mind and the narrative relays and amplifies his thought while building a dense picture of the world in which he acts. Engaging critically and responsively with other texts, Komnene uses the full range of current literary genres to portray the ideal culture of his rule. She matches her art of literary control to his of government over the adverse forces of his time.

This is the first full-scale study of the literary art of Anna Komnene's Alexiad. Her history of her father's reign is well-known and much used by Byzantinists and historians of the First Crusade, but the art with which it shapes its central character has not been fully examined or understood. This book argues that the work is both history and tragedy; the characterization of Alexios I Komnenos is cumulative; it develops; the models for his idealization change; much of the action takes place in his mind and the narrative relays and amplifies his thought while building a dense picture of the world in which he acts. Engaging critically and responsively with other texts, Komnene uses the full range of current literary genres to portray the ideal culture of his rule. She matches her art of literary control to his of government over the adverse forces of his time.

This is the first full-scale study of the literary art of Anna Komnene''s Alexiad. Her history of her father''s reign is well-known and much used by Byzantinists and historians of the First Crusade, but the art with which it shapes its central character has not been fully examined or understood. This book argues that the work is both history and tragedy; the characterization of Alexios I Komnenos is cumulative; it develops; the models for his idealization change; much of the action takes place in his mind and the narrative relays and amplifies his thought while building a dense picture of the world in which he acts. Engaging critically and responsively with other texts, Komnene uses the full range of current literary genres to portray the ideal culture of his rule. She matches her art of literary control to his of government over the adverse forces of his time.

This is the first full-scale study of the literary art of Anna Komnene''s Alexiad. Her history of her father''s reign is well-known and much used by Byzantinists and historians of the First Crusade, but the art with which it shapes its central character has not been fully examined or understood. This book argues that the work is both history and tragedy; the characterization of Alexios I Komnenos is cumulative; it develops; the models for his idealization change; much of the action takes place in his mind and the narrative relays and amplifies his thought while building a dense picture of the world in which he acts. Engaging critically and responsively with other texts, Komnene uses the full range of current literary genres to portray the ideal culture of his rule. She matches her art of literary control to his of government over the adverse forces of his time.