Tacitus se Historiae I, 1-50: Enkele narratiewe aspekte

Abstract

In this article it is maintained that, despite the scepticism of some traditional philologists, narratology does provide an effective method which can lead to a fresh interpretation of Greek and Roman historiography. The relevant narratological concepts are defined, and the theoretical framework is briefly explained. The analysis of Tacitus' Historiae Book I, chapters 1-50, provides a practical illustration. Only two textual aspects, namely time and characterisation, are discussed in the analysis. The interpretation of the results of the narratological description shows clearly that, because of Tacitus' rhetorical training, there is a dimension to his work which cannot be fully verified from other sources. The text demands from the reader the construction of the "unwritten" text. The narratological reading brings new appreciation for the Historiae as a work with real literary merit.

Opsomming

In hierdie artikel word aangevoer dat die narratologie, ondanks die skeptisisme van sommige tradisionele filoloe, wel 'n effektiewe metode bied wat kan lei tot 'n vars interpretasie van die Griekse en Romeinse historiografie. Die relevante narratologiese begrippe word omskryf en die teoretiese raamwerk kortliks uiteengesit. Die analise van Tacitus se Historiae Boek I, hoofstukke 1-50, dien ter illustrasie. Die analise word onderneem aan die hand van slegs twee tekstuele aspekte, naamlik tyd en karakterisering. Die vertolking van die resultate wat die narratologiese beskrywing oplewer, toon duidelik dat die skoling wat Tacitus in die retoriek ontvang het, 'n dimensie aan sy werk verleen het, wat nie uit ander bronne volledig kontroleerbaar is nie. Die teks vereis van die leser die konstruksie van die "ongeskrewe" teks. Die narratologiese lees van die teks bring nuwe waardering vir die Historiae as 'n werk met ware literêre meriete.