“The Quest In Classical Literature: Structuralism And
Databases”
Paul
Barrette
Department of Classics McMaster
University
barretp@mcmaster.ca
What is a quest? After a close reading of Ovid's Metamorphoses and other Classical texts, I have developed a
working definition of the mythological quest:
“The quest begins with an initiator who is in need of something or
someone import.°" This object requires a substantial effort to
obtain. The initiator calls or imposes upon someone to undertake the
quest, or he may plan to go on the quest himself. A long and
substantial journey follows, on which the quester may journey alone
or with companions. The quester usually faces some difficulty during
the course of the journey either before the destination is reached
or after the object is obtained. During this journey the quester may
be forced to suspend the quest for various reasons. Upon resolution
of these reasons, the quester may continue the quest. Upon arrival
at the destination, the quester may seek the possessor and/or the
object. The quester may or may not face some sort of test and/or
challenge before obtaining the object. Should the quester fail the
test and/or challenge, he or she might not obtain the object. The
quest is usually complete when the quester returns with or without
the object of the quest. Usually the quest is orbital in form, where
the quester returns to the point of inception. However, under some
circumstances the quest may be considered complete if, before the
inception of the quest, the quester has no intention of returning,
e.g. when the object is a new homeland.”
In order to systematically analyze the quest in detail I located a manageable
number of quests (35) according to the definition above in both classical
and non-classical authors from different genres of literature (e.g. epic,
comedy, prose, epitome), from different chronological periods and languages.
In addition, I included different versions of several mythological quests so
that variant versions of the same quest could be compared more closely.
Inspired by Propp's° structuralist approach to
folktale, I decided to use the narrative function as the basic unit of quest
structure and to develop a system of functions with which to describe the
quest. Since my work is primarily concerned with the quest, and not with
larger and more complex myths or tales, I developed a specialized definition
of the function, which is based on Propp's:°
“An act of a dramatis persona,° or an event, which has a significant impact on
the course of action during a quest.”
With this definition of the function, I developed a set of seventy-two
functions specifically for the quest. By allowing for variant and inverted
functions, I am able to describe most quests° according to function. I have included an
abridged list of functions here, but a full list will be available at the
web site mentioned above.
List of Functions
- A. Inception of quest (3 variants).
- B. Quester accepts quest (2 variants).
- c. Quester gathers companion(s) to accompany him/her on the journey (3 variants).
- D. Departure
- e. Quester receives help (5 variants).
- f. Quester's progress is hindered (8 variants).
- g. Quester suspends quest (10 variants)
- h. Quester resumes quest (2 variants).
- i. Quester overcomes hindrance(s) (2 variants).
- j. Arrival at destination (1 variant).
- k. Quester encounters the possessor° and/or the object of quest (8 variants).
- l. Quester completes difficult task(s) and/or condition(s) are met (2 variants).
- M. Quester obtains the object of quest (8 variants).
- n. Quester departs from destination (1 variant).
- o. Quester returns (1 variant).
- 1. A clear example: ƒe1, Aeneas asks the Sibyl for help and she helps him.
- 2. A marginal example: ƒh1, Aeneas resumes his quest. We are not told explicitly that Aeneas resumes his quest, but it is clear from the context that he has.
- 3. A difficult to classify example: ƒA3/A1, we are not told explicitly that Aeneas was pondering the quest, but his stop off at Cumae and his actions when he arrives there, i.e. straight away he seeks the Sibyl and begs for permission to visit his father in the underworld, may suggest that he had contemplated this quest of his own accord. But, at Virg. Aen. 5. 731 ff., we are told that Anchises' shade visits Aeneas and urges him to travel to the underworld to see him.
- 1. Initial sequence
- 2. Journey outward sequence
- 3. Destination sequence
- 4. Journey homeward sequence
- 1. Number, unique integer.
- 2. Title of quest, type text.
- 3. Source of quest, type text.
- 4. Initial sequence, type text.
- 5. Journey outward sequence, type text.
- 6. Destination sequence, type text.
- 7. Journey homeward sequence, type text.