Professor Jonathan Burgess has received a grant from the Government of Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council in support of his new project, titled “The Reception of the Homeric Polyphemus.”
The five-year project focuses on ancient and modern reception of the Polyphemus episode in Book 9 of Homer's Odyssey. Using reception theory, in addition to narratological, anthropological, and postcolonial theory, the project will develop fresh perspectives on cultural projects that have reconceptualized Odysseus’ encounter with the cyclops.
“The Reception of the Homeric Polyphemus” builds upon multiple concurrent lines of research Professor Burgess has pursued over the last decade: travel within the Odyssey, Odysseus’ further travels after his return home, ancient travel literature in general, travel literature comparable to the Odyssey, and reception of the Odyssey.
In addition to articles and a monograph, the grant will fund presentations at the next five annual meetings of the Classical Association of Canada and the Society for Classical Studies, and a workshop in the project’s fourth year to be held at the University of Toronto. The project will also explore ancient and modern localization of Polyphemus in Sicily through the expansion and revision of wakeofodysseus.com, created by Professor Burgess with funding from a previous SSHRC grant.
Congratulations Jonathan!