CALL. 21.10.2019: Meaning between the lines: allegory and hermeneutics in Greek imperial and late an
FECHA LÍMITE/DEADLINE/SCADENZA: 21/10/2019
FECHA CONGRESO/CONGRESS DATE/DATA CONGRESSO: 06-07/02/2020
LUGAR/LOCATION/LUOGO: Trinity College Dublin (Dublin, Ireland)
ORGANIZADOR/ORGANIZER/ORGANIZZATORE: Alexandra Madeła, Guy Walker and Sean McGrath (Trinity College Dublin)
INFO: tcdallegory@gmail.com
CALL:
We are pleased to invite proposals for an upcoming workshop on allegory and hermeneutics in Greek imperial and late antique literature.
In the first centuries of the common era, allegorical readings of Greek literature became increasingly commonplace. Canonical works such as the Homeric and Hesiodic poems or the Platonic dialogues were increasingly subjected to interpretations that uncovered hidden meanings and deeper truths under the surface of the text, such as those of Porphyry and Heraclitus. These methods of reading, under the influence of the rhetorical curriculum and developments in philosophy and mysticism, inspired contemporary writers and poets to imbue their own works with (quasi-) allegorical elements. Allegory could be used, for instance, as a tool to convey knowledge that could not be adequately expressed in language, to covertly express political criticisms, or as a means of meta-literary reflection. At the same time, Greek theories and practices of allegoresis influenced the development of Jewish and early Christian Biblical hermeneutics, as exemplified by, for example, Philo of Alexandra and Origen.
Our workshop aims to encompass a wide range of literary texts which practice and/or reflect on allegorical interpretation and Biblical hermeneutics, and through them gain insight into imperial and late antique approaches to literary interpretation and composition. We welcome proposals engaging with, but not limited to, the following topics:
· Imperial and late antique allegorical reception of earlier Greek literature
· The influence of allegoresis on the production and interpretation of imperial and late antique Greek poetry (e.g. Hero and Leander, Orphic Argonautica) or novels (e.g. Daphnis and Chloe, Aethiopica)
· Stoic and (Neo)Platonic allegorical practices
· Interplay between rhetorical theories of allegory and literary practice
· Interplay between ‘pagan’ allegoresis and Biblical hermeneutics
· Allegory as a means of reflection or criticism of contemporary politics
·Allegory and metapoetics in imperial and late antique Greek literature
· Parodies of allegoresis
We invite abstracts of no more than 300 words for 30 minute papers, followed by 10 minutes of discussion, to be submitted by October 21st 2019 to the organizing committee (tcdallegory@gmail.com). Please also include a short academic CV in a separate file or the body of your email. If you have an questions, please don't hesitate to contact us!