Papers by Dimitrios Tsokanos
Odisea, 2022
Poe's "Morella" explores mystery and gothic horror. Pain, death and reincarnation are the author'... more Poe's "Morella" explores mystery and gothic horror. Pain, death and reincarnation are the author's thematic pillars here. Also, the death of yet another female protagonist points toward Poe's most favourite motif. The present essay focuses on Poe's sources by revisiting instances of Hellenic allusions in the tale. To that end, this study should serve as a note on the extent of Hellenic references in "Morella" and the intertextual similarities between Poe's work and Plato's Symposium as it also delves into the reasons behind Poe's indisputable admiration for Greece.
Edgar Allan Poe's poetry has repeatedly drawn the attention of many literary critics since hi... more Edgar Allan Poe's poetry has repeatedly drawn the attention of many literary critics since his poems have meticulously been delved into from different perspectives. Undeniably, a multitude of references that allude to ancient Greek mythology and classical literature are present within his verses. These have been noticed and delineated by noteworthy Poe scholars such as Scott Peeples, Kenneth Silverman, Daniel Hoffman and Kevin Hayes in several of their researches in the past. However, despite the wide range of studies that have been published, one cannot encounter any mention regarding the existence of Hellenic motifs or even a reference to an apparent Hellenism in Poe's poetry. In an effort to outline what has already been affirmed with respect to this topic and to unearth additional links between Poe's works and Greece, the present essay aims to determine the presence of Hellenic motifs in Poe's "To Helen" and "Lenore". "TO THE GLORY THAT W...
espanol“Berenice” de Edgar Allan Poe ha sido estudiado de forma diacronica desde numerosas perspe... more espanol“Berenice” de Edgar Allan Poe ha sido estudiado de forma diacronica desde numerosas perspectivas y, a lo largo de los anos, algunos investigadores han conectado la historia con la biografia del autor. Ademas, la eleccion del nombre del protagonista por parte de Poe, Egaeus, hecho que podria indicar influencia helenica en la produccion literaria del autor, no ha sido ignorada por los investigadores. Aun asi, incluso en estudios meticulosos como el de Silverman (1992) se puede observar que las implicaciones de Poe con el pasado heleno de Berenice no han sido examinadas en profundidad. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo delimitar estas alusiones helenicas, ofreciendo una conexion adicional entre la narrativa de Poe y la Grecia clasica, que no ha sido suficientemente estudiado por ningun miembro relevante en el campo de estudio de Poe.palabras. EnglishEdgar Allan Poe's “Berenice” has been investigated from a number of different perspectives and, over the years, scholars ...
Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry has repeatedly drawn the attention of many literary critics since his po... more Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry has repeatedly drawn the attention of many literary critics since his poems have meticulously been delved into from different perspectives. Undeniably, a multitude of references that allude to ancient Greek mythology and classical literature are present within his verses. These have been noticed and delineated by noteworthy Poe scholars such as Scott Peeples, Kenneth Silverman, Daniel Hoffman and Kevin Hayes in several of their researches in the past. However, despite the wide range of studies that have been published, one cannot encounter any mention regarding the existence of Hellenic motifs or even a reference to an apparent Hellenism in Poe’s poetry. In an effort to outline what has already been affirmed with respect to this topic and to unearth additional links between Poe’s works and Greece, the present essay aims to determine the presence of Hellenic motifs in Poe’s “To Helen” and “Lenore”.
The Edgar Allan Poe Review, 2021
This note explores the influence of Edgar Allan Poe on Emmanuel Rhoides, the Greek writer and tra... more This note explores the influence of Edgar Allan Poe on Emmanuel Rhoides, the Greek writer and translator who, in 1877, first introduced the American author to a Greek audience. Granting the lack of research into Poe's impact on the Hellenic literary world, the note discusses "Ἱστορία ἑνὸς σκύλου" (The Story of a Dog) published by Rhoides in 1893, which bears clear but unexplored similarities to Poe's "The Black Cat." The Greek story was printed alongside "Η Ιστορία μιας Γάτας," a tale that has already been linked to the same Poe story in terms of content and structure. This comparison make clears the extensive interest that Rhoides had in "The Black Cat," and argues that the writer who introduced the American author's work in Greece was influenced by and used Poe's satire techniques in this and other tales. Finally, the note calls for additional, broader study of Poe's impact on modern Greek writing.
Poe's "How to Write a Blackwood Article" and "The Scythe of Time" have both drawn the attention o... more Poe's "How to Write a Blackwood Article" and "The Scythe of Time" have both drawn the attention of a number of scholars due to their undeniable connection and their satirical tone. Studies such as those of Daniel Hoffman and Kenneth Silverman have made note of Poe's satire which features allusions to foreign literatures. In fact, Poe does not hesitate to quote from several foreign authors in the text and he admits it right away. However, even though one can come across studies such as those of Gustav Gruener, Carl F. Schreiber, and Susan Levine all dealing with the German and Spanish influence in Poe, one may not encounter research that explores the Hellenic aspect of the matter systematically. This paper focuses on the importance of Hellenic language and literature for Poe's literary devices, and it also offers additional links between "A Predicament" and Hellenic mythology that have perhaps been overlooked by relevant research so far.
Poe's "How to Write a Blackwood Article" and "The Scythe of Time" have both drawn the attention o... more Poe's "How to Write a Blackwood Article" and "The Scythe of Time" have both drawn the attention of a number of scholars due to their undeniable connection and their satirical tone. Studies such as those of Daniel Hoffman and Kenneth Silverman have made note of Poe's satire which features allusions to foreign literatures. In fact, Poe does not hesitate to quote from several foreign authors in the text and he admits it right away. However, even though one can come across studies such as those of Gustav Gruener, Carl F. Schreiber, and Susan Levine all dealing with the German and Spanish influence in Poe, one may not encounter research that explores the Hellenic aspect of the matter systematically. This paper focuses on the importance of Hellenic language and literature for Poe's literary devices, and it also offers additional links between "A Predicament" and Hellenic mythology that have perhaps been overlooked by relevant research so far. RESUMEN: El relato corto "How to Write a Blackwood Article" de Poe y su "The Scythe of Time" llamaron la atención de varios eruditos debido a su conexión innegable y su tono satírico. Estudios como los de Daniel Hoffman y Kenneth Silverman han tomado nota de la sátira de Poe que presenta alusiones a literaturas extranjeras. De hecho, Poe no duda en citar a varios autores extranjeros en el texto, y lo admite de inmediato. Sin embargo, aunque se pueden encontrar estudios como los de Gustav Gruener, Carl F. Schreiber y Susan Levine sobre la influencia alemana y española sobre la obra de Poe, no se han producido investigaciones que exploran sistemáticamente el aspecto helénico del asunto. El presente artículo se centra en la importancia de la lengua y la literatura helénica para los recursos literarios de Poe y también ofrece enlaces adicionales entre "A Predicament" y la mitología helénica que tal vez hayan sido pasados por alto por investigaciones relevantes hasta el momento.
Complutense Journal of English Studies, 2018
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat” has received a great deal of scholarly attention over
the years... more Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat” has received a great deal of scholarly attention over
the years from a variety of perspectives, not least the domestic and symbolic presence of Pluto in the
story. Kent Ljungquist (1980) saw Poe’s narrative in terms of classical literary tradition, specifically
the notion of the daemonic, yet confined his study to Pluto’s demonic features, arguing that the cat
may be an infernal spirit sent to castigate the narrator. Other studies, such as Clark Moreland and
Karime Rodriguez (2015), have reached similar conclusions. However, there is a surprising absence
in the literature of any discussion of Poe’s decision to name the ‘phantasm’ of his narrative after the
Hellenic god of the Underworld. The present paper seeks to address this, and proposes that Poe’s
Pluto may not simply function as a demonic spirit, but rather as the Pluto of Hellenic mythology
himself.
Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat" has received a great deal of scholarly attention over the years... more Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat" has received a great deal of scholarly attention over the years from a variety of perspectives, not least the domestic and symbolic presence of Pluto in the story. Kent Ljungquist (1980) saw Poe's narrative in terms of classical literary tradition, specifically the notion of the daemonic, yet confined his study to Pluto's demonic features, arguing that the cat may be an infernal spirit sent to castigate the narrator. Other studies, such as Clark Moreland and Karime Rodriguez (2015), have reached similar conclusions. However, there is a surprising absence in the literature of any discussion of Poe's decision to name the 'phantasm' of his narrative after the Hellenic god of the Underworld. The present paper seeks to address this, and proposes that Poe's Pluto may not simply function as a demonic spirit, but rather as the Pluto of Hellenic mythology himself.
Edgar Allan Poe is renowned for his tales of horror and the desolate environments within his work... more Edgar Allan Poe is renowned for his tales of horror and the desolate environments within his works that baffle readers. Several studies in the past have demonstrated his constant attempts to criticize his contemporaries principally due to the immoral path that he believed they were following. In doing so, he envisioned morbid catastrophes that signified his belief that humanity's absolution would only be ensured through total annihilation and absolute silence. The present study focuses on two of these instances, " Siope-A Fable " and " The Sphinx, " in an effort to demonstrate Hellenic motifs in Poe's dreary visions that have not been sufficiently discussed by relevant literature. Resumen Edgar Allan Poe es conocido por sus historias de horror y los ambientes desolados dentro de sus obras que desconciertan a los lectores. Varios estudios en el pasado han demostrado sus constantes intentos de criticar a sus contemporáneos principalmente debido al camino inmoral que él creía que estaban siguiendo. Al hacerlo, imaginó catástrofes mórbidas que significaban que su creencia de que la absolución de la humanidad sólo sería asegurada mediante la aniquilación total y el silencio absoluto. El presente estudio se centra en dos de estos casos, "Siope-A Fable" y "The Sphinx", siendo un esfuerzo por demostrar los motivos helénicos en las visiones de Poe que no han sido suficientemente discutidos por la literatura pertinente.
The Edgar Allan Poe Review, 2017
This article seeks to show how Poe has influenced writing in Greece since his somewhat late intro... more This article seeks to show how Poe has influenced writing in Greece since his somewhat late introduction into Hellenic literary spheres, despite several claims that no major Greek author or translator has yet come to understand or appreciate Poe’s storytelling fully. Toward this goal I will explain some of the reasons for the late arrival of Poe’s tales and poems in Greece, and will then consider a story by Emmanuel Rhoides, published in 1893, which bears numerous similarities to Poe’s “The Black Cat.” Rhoides was the first Greek translator of Poe, and his admiration for the American writer will be underlined here through an overview of the points of convergence, as well as the dissimilarities, between the two works.
Such a comparison will cast doubt on the position of a number of critics who have played down the significance of Poe’s oeuvre in Greek literature. Finally, the present article aims to shed some additional light on Poe’s impact on the Greek literary world, an insufficiently explored topic in the study of Poe, and one that serves as the prolegomenon for a forthcoming, systematic study.
Edgar Allan Poe's bicentenary triggered new translations and research on his life and works. Stud... more Edgar Allan Poe's bicentenary triggered new translations and research on his life and works. Studies have been conducted by several noteworthy scholars such as Silverman (1991) and Peeples (1998 and 2004) indicating that the selected tales in this essay are Poe's political message to the society of his time. The presence of Latin and Hellenic phrases and names in Poe's critique has been indicated in the past. However, despite the existence of numerous analyses with respect to the Latin motifs in Poe's narratives, even in Lois Vines' Poe Abroad (1999) there has been no research dedicated to the apparent presence of Hellenic references in Poe's works. Moreover, a methodic study devoted to the presence of the Hellenic domain in Poe's storytelling has never been undertaken. Presenting promismcging evidence for an extensive study, I aim to delve into these references and identify the reasons why Poe turned to Greece as a source of inspiration.
Edgar Allan Poe's “Berenice” has been investigated from a number of different perspectives and, o... more Edgar Allan Poe's “Berenice” has been investigated from a number of different perspectives and, over the years, scholars have particularly connected this story to Poe's biography. Furthermore, Poe's choice to name his main protagonist Egaeus, fact which may indicate a Hellenic influence on the author's literary production, has not been overlooked. However, even in meticulous studies such as Silverman's (1992) one can observe that Poe's engagement with the Hellenic past in “Berenice” has not been examined in depth. The present paper aims to delineate Hellenic allusions that are apparent in the tale, offering an additional connection between Poe's narrative and ancient Greece which has not been sufficiently emphasized by relevant literature in this field of Poe studies.
Edgar Allan Poe's poetry has repeatedly drawn the attention of many literary critics since his po... more Edgar Allan Poe's poetry has repeatedly drawn the attention of many literary critics since his poems have meticulously been delved into from different perspectives. Undeniably, a multitude of references that allude to ancient Greek mythology and classical literature are present within his verses. These have been noticed and delineated by noteworthy Poe scholars such as Scott Peeples, Kenneth Silverman, Daniel Hoffman and Kevin Hayes in several of their researches in the past. However, despite the wide range of studies that have been published, one cannot encounter any mention regarding the existence of Hellenic motifs or even a reference to an apparent Hellenism in Poe's poetry. In an effort to outline what has already been affirmed with respect to this topic and to unearth additional links between Poe's works and Greece, the present essay aims to determine the presence of Hellenic motifs in Poe's " To Helen " and " Lenore " .
Edgar Allan Poe's bicentenary revived the interest of renowned literary critics in his works and ... more Edgar Allan Poe's bicentenary revived the interest of renowned literary critics in his works and several new studies that analyse the author's impact outside the United States have been undertaken. Quite astonishingly, even in Lois Vines' Poe Abroad (1999), a meticulous investigation on Poe's presence in Asia and Europe, Greece is nowhere to be mentioned. Apart from scarce mention of a Hellenic influence in his storytelling, the presence of Hellenic motifs in Poe's works has not been extensively explored so far. This paper aims to delve into this particular topic through Poe's " Eleonora " and " Ligeia " in an attempt to demonstrate philhellenic patterns as well as to indicate the need for future systematic studies.
Edgar Allan Poe's bicentenary triggered new translations and research on his life and works. Stud... more Edgar Allan Poe's bicentenary triggered new translations and research on his life and works. Studies have been conducted by several noteworthy scholars such as Silverman (1991) and Peeples (1998 and 2004) indicating that the selected tales in this essay are Poe's political message to the society of his time. The presence of Latin and Hellenic phrases and names in Poe's critique has been indicated in the past. However, despite the existence of numerous analyses with respect to the Latin motifs in Poe's narratives, even in Lois Vines' Poe Abroad (1999) there has been no research dedicated to the apparent presence of Hellenic references in Poe's works. Moreover, a methodic study devoted to the presence of the Hellenic domain in Poe's storytelling has never been undertaken. Presenting promismcging evidence for an extensive study, I aim to delve into these references and identify the reasons why Poe turned to Greece as a source of inspiration.
Articles and Book chapters by Dimitrios Tsokanos
Retrospective Poe, 2023
Poe’s reception in Europe constitutes a central element in any discussion of his international li... more Poe’s reception in Europe constitutes a central element in any discussion of his international literary status. The essayist, poet, and critic Charles Baudelaire (1821–1867) is a key figure in Poe’s arrival on European shores, and although he was not the first to translate the American’s work in France, Poe’s introduction to a French-reading audience owes much to the Frenchman who spent almost two decades reading and translating his works. Baudelaire dedicated great passion to this task, “often neglecting his own writing to do so” (Harner 1990, 218), and indeed scholars have rightly characterized his efforts as “one of the best-known cases of intercultural literary partnership” (Semichon 2003, 1) in history, and even as a “teacher-student relationship” (Garrait-Bourrier 2002, 2). He certainly developed a keen interest in Poe’s life and work, which eventually led him not only to create poetry “which was inspired, to say the least, by the American writer,” as Anne Garrait-Bourrier notes (2002, 2), but also to devote most of his life to an ideal transatlantic introduction to Poe. As a result, his translations became something of a foundation for Poe’s European fame, and throughout the past century have justly been described as “solid” (Harner 1990, 221).
Complutense Journal of English Studies, 2018
Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat" has received a great deal of scholarly attention over the years... more Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat" has received a great deal of scholarly attention over the years from a variety of perspectives, not least the domestic and symbolic presence of Pluto in the story. Kent Ljungquist (1980) saw Poe's narrative in terms of classical literary tradition, specifically the notion of the daemonic, yet confined his study to Pluto's demonic features, arguing that the cat may be an infernal spirit sent to castigate the narrator. Other studies, such as Clark Moreland and Karime Rodriguez (2015), have reached similar conclusions. However, there is a surprising absence in the literature of any discussion of Poe's decision to name the 'phantasm' of his narrative after the Hellenic god of the Underworld. The present paper seeks to address this, and proposes that Poe's Pluto may not simply function as a demonic spirit, but rather as the Pluto of Hellenic mythology himself.
Book Reviews by Dimitrios Tsokanos
"Teaching Language and Literature On and Off-Canon", 2020
Uploads
Papers by Dimitrios Tsokanos
the years from a variety of perspectives, not least the domestic and symbolic presence of Pluto in the
story. Kent Ljungquist (1980) saw Poe’s narrative in terms of classical literary tradition, specifically
the notion of the daemonic, yet confined his study to Pluto’s demonic features, arguing that the cat
may be an infernal spirit sent to castigate the narrator. Other studies, such as Clark Moreland and
Karime Rodriguez (2015), have reached similar conclusions. However, there is a surprising absence
in the literature of any discussion of Poe’s decision to name the ‘phantasm’ of his narrative after the
Hellenic god of the Underworld. The present paper seeks to address this, and proposes that Poe’s
Pluto may not simply function as a demonic spirit, but rather as the Pluto of Hellenic mythology
himself.
Such a comparison will cast doubt on the position of a number of critics who have played down the significance of Poe’s oeuvre in Greek literature. Finally, the present article aims to shed some additional light on Poe’s impact on the Greek literary world, an insufficiently explored topic in the study of Poe, and one that serves as the prolegomenon for a forthcoming, systematic study.
Articles and Book chapters by Dimitrios Tsokanos
Book Reviews by Dimitrios Tsokanos
the years from a variety of perspectives, not least the domestic and symbolic presence of Pluto in the
story. Kent Ljungquist (1980) saw Poe’s narrative in terms of classical literary tradition, specifically
the notion of the daemonic, yet confined his study to Pluto’s demonic features, arguing that the cat
may be an infernal spirit sent to castigate the narrator. Other studies, such as Clark Moreland and
Karime Rodriguez (2015), have reached similar conclusions. However, there is a surprising absence
in the literature of any discussion of Poe’s decision to name the ‘phantasm’ of his narrative after the
Hellenic god of the Underworld. The present paper seeks to address this, and proposes that Poe’s
Pluto may not simply function as a demonic spirit, but rather as the Pluto of Hellenic mythology
himself.
Such a comparison will cast doubt on the position of a number of critics who have played down the significance of Poe’s oeuvre in Greek literature. Finally, the present article aims to shed some additional light on Poe’s impact on the Greek literary world, an insufficiently explored topic in the study of Poe, and one that serves as the prolegomenon for a forthcoming, systematic study.