4. Epistemological reception (III): The Stoics
The basis of the Stoic interpretation of Homer’s and Hesiod’s epic poems is in many (although not in all) aspects an apology, meant as a response to the criticism of Xenophanes and Plato. Their point of view is based on a specific theory of transmission of knowledge and on a new reading of the common philosophical opposition of truth and opinion. The question about the possible allegorical status of these interpretations is heavily debated. On one hand, it was proven by several scholars that Heraclitus, the author of Homeric problems whose defense of Homer was often taken as the best example of a Stoic allegorical reading of epic poems, was not a Stoic philosopher. On the other hand, there is no consensus …show more content…
The overall tone of the episode in Odyssey X provides a very probable motive for Cleanthes’ strange etymology since the use of ‘cunning intelligence’ would be very fitting for Odysseus who already used his μῆτις in a similar situation in the cave of Polyphemus (Odyssey IX). At the same time, we need to stress that Cleanthes does not examine the episode from the perspective of lack of knowledge and its compensation but in the light of the Stoic opposition of passions and reason: he connects μῶλυ to the verb μωλύεσθαι (“to subside”) since this etymology presents Odysseus as a person whose ability to suppress his emotions allows him to act in accordance with reason. This line of interpretation, based on further Homeric examples (such as Iliad XXIV, 549 ff. and Odyssey XX, 17 f.), was continued by Chrysippus. Despite Galen’s criticism against Chrysippus’ method of using Homer and Hesiod in support of his philosophical arguments, this long tradition of philosophical exegesis of epic poems (including their epistemological reading) was continued by later