Analysis of Menippus/Necyomantia
Plot
The story begins as Menippus surfaces from the underworld after obtaining the answer to his question from Tiresias. It is there that he met Philonides who conjures Menippus’ hubris to make him boast his tale. Method of Narration It is intriguing to see that the author, Lucian of Samosata, utilizes the what is known as the Socratic Method to narrate his story. The reason could be because he follows Socrates’ belief that one can find the truth between a series of short questions and answers.[1] This is also displayed when the judges of the Underworld utilizes shadow witnesses as a mean of examining the dead’s innocence or guiltiness.[2] Journey to the Underworld The topic of traveling to the Underworld seems to be quite common in Greek mythology. In fact, a journey to the Underworld appears to be a criteria for many great heroes’ adventures, whether the journey itself is a failure or not. Odysseus, Theseus, Heracles, Orpheus, and others all made such a journey during their quests. In fact, Menippus was instructed to use the names of Odysseus, Heracles, and Orpheus to make it alive in the Underworld.[3] In this case, the plot of Menippus appears to be largely mirrored from Odysseus’ travel to the Underworld, and there are three major similarities. The first is that both desired to seek an answer from the great prophet Tiresias.[4] This is each’s main goal and both managed to accomplish it. The second similarity is that both had a guide that is skilled in the magic arts. While Menippus had the Magi perform everything that was necessary for him to enter the Underworld, Odysseus had the instructions of Circe that allowed him to easily enter the Underworld.[5] The third is that both boasted their encounters with famous people. While Odysseus boasted meetings with heroes of the Trojan war, Menippus talked about kings and poets such as Homer and Xerxes.[6] Tiresias’ Role in Marking the End As mentioned above it is the goal of Menippus to find Tiresias in the Underworld and beg him to shed some light on the meaning of life. Similar to Odysseus’ situation, Tiresias marks the completion of a goal. When Menippus drew the answer out of Tiresias’ lips, he has completed his quest and perhaps achieved a hero status. In that sense, Tiresias is a tool to gain honor and fame for Menippus, as he ventures down to the Underworld to seek this awesome set of words. It is also Lucian’s tool of marking an end to his story. Wisdom of Tiresias Through the dialogue in Menippus, one can see that Tiresias is incredibly wise and his advice is highly valued. Menippus explained himself that the reason he took the “queer original journey” was because he was “too bold [and] too little wise.”[7] So in order to finish his journey, he needs someone who holds great wisdom--Tiresias. As one reads the rest of the dialogues, one can also see that Menippus had tried to find the answer to his question of life from other sources but to no avail. As he followed the teachings of different contradicting philosophers, he became more and more confused.[8] He needed someone who is worldlier and wiser than these philosophers, and Tiresias is the only choice. This further proves the point that Tiresias is incredibly wise, as the philosophers are complete fools compared to him. “The life of the ordinary man is the best and most prudent choice; cease from the folly of metaphysical speculation and inquiry into origins and ends, utterly reject their clever logic, count all these things idle talk, and pursue one end alone — how you may do what your hand finds to do, and go your way with ever a smile and never a passion.”[9] The above was Tiresias’ answer to Menippus’ question. It clearly voices the mockery of the ability of the philosophers and denounces their meaning. This is where Tiresias’ voice echos the voice of the author and references back to the inability of the philosophers in the prior events. Tiresias here is a device that channels the author’s criticism and opinion, as Tiresias is able to give Lucian’s better advice. |
Menippus' travel is similar to Odysseus'.
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[1] Redmond, Frank. "Timeline: Lucian of Samosata Project." Timeline. N.p., 19 Apr. 2015. Web. 07 May 2015.
[2] Lucian. "Menippus | Necyomantia." Menippus. Trans. Frank Redmond. N.p., 25 Apr. 2015. Web. 07 May 2015.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[2] Lucian. "Menippus | Necyomantia." Menippus. Trans. Frank Redmond. N.p., 25 Apr. 2015. Web. 07 May 2015.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.