Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
2-2026
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Program
Classics
Advisor
David Schur
Committee Members
Dee Clayman
David Petrain
Ioannis Konstantakos
Subject Categories
Classical Literature and Philology | Classics
Keywords
Greek literature, fantasy, Aristophanes, Lucian
Abstract
This dissertation investigates the tension between the ubiquitous presence of supernatural elements in Greek culture and the absence of a theoretical framework or literary genre, where the impossible was often concealed or denied to prioritize narrative credibility. Utilizing narratological and cognitive perspectives, this study proposes the framework of the “Intentional Fantastic,” defined not as a genre, but as a deliberate narrative mode where unreality is a conscious artistic choice recognized by both author and audience.
The analysis traces the evolution of this mode from a “poetics of credibility” to a “poetics of disbelief”. It begins by distinguishing the fantastic from myth and the marvelous. The study then examines the Odyssey, arguing that the epic text employs “cognitive anchoring” to mask the impossible, prioritizing the appearance of truth and reliability over the fantastic. In contrast, the dissertation demonstrates how Aristophanes and Lucian disrupt this tradition. Through an analysis of Birds and True Histories, it is argued that these authors establish a new cognitive pact where literary pleasure is derived from a shared, explicit awareness of the invention.
Furthermore, this work explores the visual aspect of the fantastic through the lens of the “gaze”. It contrasts the “avoidant gaze” of epic poetry with the “engaged gaze” of visual arts and the “constructive gaze” of the theater, where the audience actively visualizes the impossible. Ultimately, this research posits that the Greeks engaged in the intentional fantastic as a sophisticated, playful, and cognitive exploration of the impossible.
Recommended Citation
Migliara, Alessandra, "Unveiling the Impossible: The Intentional Fantastic in Ancient Greek Literature" (2026). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/6559
