Il Grillo di Plutarco e la tradizione della figura di Ulisse

Abstract

Plutarch’s dialogue Bruta ammalia ratione uti develops the scene of Odissey XII, when Ulysses is about to leave Circe’s island. But the hero’s characterization by Plutarch, however sketchy, as well as Circe’s and Gryllos’ criticism of his behaviour are strongly reminiscent of Ulysses’ figure as portrayed in the post-homeric tradition, particularly in the classical theatre, which constantly emphasized the hero’s negative and pitiless sides, rather than his feats and his worth.