Aesthetic and Ethical Criticism in Herodas' Mimiamboi

Abstract

This paper examines Herodas' interest in aesthetic and ethical criticism throughout his mimiamboi. This serious concern with such elevated topics is appropriate, and perhaps even expected, given Herodas' clear effort in the eighth mimiamb to locate his new genre of poetry within the iambic tradition in general, and the Hipponactean strain of iambos in particular. Analysis of the fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth mimes demonstrates a keen awareness of the poet's craft, poetic techniques, and contemporary aesthetic values. While playing the role of aesthetic critic, Herodas promotes an ideal reader of his poetry, and instructs this reader in how best to contemplate his poems. The first, third, and fifth mimes all show an interest in pronouncing statements dealing with ethical behavior and elevated philosophical concerns. As an ethical critic, Herodas does not issue clear statements establishing or promoting proper ethical conduct, but foregrounds topics of great general interest to a wide Hellenistic audience. Ultimately it shall become evident that Herodas' poetry concerns itself with the same elite, intellectual issues that proved of interest to his contemporaries.