Chapter Il «Grillo» di Plutarco e la tradizione della figura di Ulisse

Overview & Synopsis

The Plutarchean dialogue Gryllus is set at the time of the 12th book of the Odyssey: the hero is leaving Circe and asks if there are any Greeks wishing to return to their homeland. Here Odysseus is portrayed in generous search for glory: but the ‘pig-man’ Gryllus charges him with several faults, by pointing to the worst sides of his character. Presenting these faults, Plutarch is reminiscent of some aspects of Odysseus’ figure as portrayed in the post-homeric tradition, particularly in classical tragedy, especially in Sophocles and Euripides.