Edinburgh Research Archive logo

Edinburgh Research Archive

University of Edinburgh homecrest
View Item 
  •   ERA Home
  • Literatures, Languages, and Cultures, School of
  • Literatures, Languages, and Cultures PhD thesis collection
  • View Item
  •   ERA Home
  • Literatures, Languages, and Cultures, School of
  • Literatures, Languages, and Cultures PhD thesis collection
  • View Item
  • Login
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

The Function of similes within the Ramayaoa and Mahabharata: parallel features and differences between the two Sanskrit Epics

View/Open
VA Cosi MPhil 2007.pdf (504.3Kb)
Date
2008
Author
Cosi, Vita Antonella
Metadata
Show full item record
Abstract
The present thesis examines the role of similes within the Sanskrit Epics. Acknowledging the fact that, as a product of an oral tradition, both Epics display upamas which do not fulfil any specific function within the narrative, but are merely employed as “line-fillers”, this research investigates similes employed with a specific purpose within the texts. The methodology employed is the contextual analysis of passages drawn from both Epics: similes occurring within each section are translated and taken into account in the immediate context in which they occur. The current research suggests the following arguments: · That the range of similes employed within a passage is chosen according to the subject-matter of the passage, thus implying a connection between the subjectmatter and the ranges of upamanas employed. · That the similes often fulfil more than one purpose at a time: a secondary function often occurs when similes appear in sequences. · That each Epic displays comparisons whose function is specific to that Epic. · That Mahabharata and Ramayaoa display comparisons fulfilling a similar function when occurring in similar contexts. Comparisons are generally employed by the bard in order to draw the audience's focus on a particular moment within the narrative: the analysis of similarities and differences between the function of comparisons featured in each Epic suggests a more central role of similes within the non-verbal dialogue between the bard and the audience.
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1842/3269
Collections
  • Literatures, Languages, and Cultures PhD thesis collection

Library & University Collections HomeUniversity of Edinburgh Information Services Home
Privacy & Cookies | Takedown Policy | Accessibility | Contact
Privacy & Cookies
Takedown Policy
Accessibility
Contact
feed RSS Feeds

RSS Feed not available for this page

 

 

All of ERACommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsPublication TypeSponsorSupervisorsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsPublication TypeSponsorSupervisors
LoginRegister

Library & University Collections HomeUniversity of Edinburgh Information Services Home
Privacy & Cookies | Takedown Policy | Accessibility | Contact
Privacy & Cookies
Takedown Policy
Accessibility
Contact
feed RSS Feeds

RSS Feed not available for this page