Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Rhapsode
In classical antiquity, a rhapsode was a professional reciter of poetry, especially the epics of Homer, but also the wisdom-verse of Hesiod and the satires of Archilochus, among others. Plato's dialogue Ion, wherein Socrates confronts a star rhapsode, remains our richest source of information on these artists.
Etymologically, the term means either "stitch-singer" (because the rhapsode stitched together elements of traditional poetry in his performances) or "staff-singer" (because he held a staff as the emblem of his trade).
It was much thanks to these rhapsodes that the works of Homer could be preserved until they were actually written down.
See also:
Compare:
03-10-2013 05:06:04
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details