Dionusios van Halikamassos (10 vC) en Gerard Genette (1972): tyd

Abstract

It is generally accepted that Genette, in particular, should receive credit for the systematic description of the narratological principle of time (order, duration and frequency). This article reveals that the narratological principles of order and duration were actually already employed by a literary critic, Dionysius of Halicarnassus, about 2 000 years ago. He adapted the rhetorical system of his time to evaluate narrative texts, specifically for evaluating the history of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.) as depicted by Thucy­dides (460-400 B.C.). According to Dionysius, chronology should be upheld in the text, but prolepsis and analepsis are unavoidable when incidents occurring in one place are described first followed directly by the description of a simultaneous occurrence elsewhere. Dionysius maintained that the significance of a historical incident determined the length of the text devoted to it. Insignificant incidents should be omitted from the text, while important incidents should be allotted the space they merit. The manner in which narrative principles were applied was, however, strongly influenced by three factors, namely, the fact that Dionysius' narrative system formed part of his comprehensive rhetorical system; the fact that he applied the principles to historical material; and thirdly, the fact that Thucydides' works were meant to be read aloud.

Opsomming

Die sistematiese beskrywing van die narratologiese beginsel van tyd (volgorde, duur en herhaling) word tot die krediet van veral Genette gereken. In hierdie artikel word aangetoon dat volgorde en duur as narratiewe beginsels reeds bykans 2 000 jaar gelede deur 'n literêre kritikus, Dionusios van Halikarnassos, gebruik is. Dionysius pas die retoriese stelsel van sy tyd aan vir die evaluering van narratiewe tekste, spesifiek Thukidides (460-400 vC) se weergawe van die historiese oorlog tussen Athene en Sparta (431-404 vC). Volgens Dionusios moet chronologie gehandhaaf word in die teks, maar prolepsis en analepsis is 'n noodwendigheid wanneer gebeure wat by een plek plaasgevind het, eers beskryf word, en daarna 'n gelyktydige gebeurtenis by 'n ander plek. Dionusios stel dit dat die belangrikheid van'n historiese insident die teksduur bepaal. Onbelangrike insidente word uit die teks weggelaat, terwyl meer tekstyd aan belangrike insidente afgestaan word. Drie sake het egter 'n belangrike invloed op die wyse waarop die narratiewe beginsels toegepas word: die feit dat die narratiewe stelsel van Dionusios deel uitmaak van sy omvattende retoriese stelsel; die feit dat hy dit toepas op historiese materiaal; en, laastens, die feit dat die werk van Thukidides geskryf is met die doel om voorgelees te word.