Cinema and Classical Texts: Apollo's New Light

Martin M. Winkler

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511575723

Apollo was the ancient god of light and the divine patron of the arts. He is therefore a fitting metaphor for cinematography, which is the modern art of writing with moving light. This book interprets films as visual texts and provides the first systematic theoretical and practical demonstration of the affinities between Greco-Roman literature and the cinema. It examines major themes from classical myth and history such as film portrayals of gods, exemplified by Apollo and the Muses; Oedipus, antiquity's most influential mythic-tragic hero; the question of heroism and patriotism in war; and the representation of women like Helen of Troy and Cleopatra as products of male desire and fantasy. Covering a wide range of European and American directors, genres and classical authors, this study provides an innovative perspective on the two disciplines of classics and cinema and demonstrates our most influential medium's unlimited range when it adapts ancient texts.

“One of the best known authorities on antiquity in film…reviews various ways in which classical culture has directly or indirectly shaped the medium of film….this book is driven by a principled enthusiasm….It is an important resource…because it makes a compelling case for mutual benefit between film studies and classical studies.” —Classical Review

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Cinema and Classical Texts

Apollo's New Light

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv

Contents
pp v-vi

List of illustrations
pp vii-ix

Acknowledgments
pp x-xii

ΦΟΙΒΩΙ ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΙ ΦΩΤΟΚΙΝΗΤΗΙ
pp xiii-xiv

Introduction: The god of light and the cinema eye
pp 1-19

1 - A certain tendency in classical philology
pp 20-69

2 - Divine epiphanies: Apollo and the Muses
pp 70-121

3 - The complexities of Oedipus
pp 122-153

4 - Patriotism and war: “Sweet and fitting it is to die for one's country”
pp 154-209

5 - Helen of Troy: Marriage and adultery according to Hollywood
pp 210-250

6 - Women in love
pp 251-294

Epilogue: “Bright shines the light”
pp 295-303

Bibliography
pp 304-338

Index
pp 339-347

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Cinema and Classical Texts

Apollo's New Light

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