Homer’s Influence on Naim Frashëri’s Poem ‘History of Skanderbeg’

Abstract

Naim Frashëri—the most ardent sonneteer of the beauty and antiquity of Albanian language, of his fatherland’s countryside, of the charm and antiquity of Albania’s most gorgeous cities and locations, of its national historical figures, of its lofty ideals of freedom, independence, and education—is certainly the apostle of the Albanian people’s newly-found faith in its literature and cultural history. The Naimian literary work is an oeuvre of high purposes and values, in that it “seeks and finds its purpose in the outside self”; it is “the esthetic, moral and meaningful nimbus” of the great Albanian Renaissance Literature, but not only.(Qosja 2000). Naim’s influence on Albanian writers has been and will continue to be extraordinary. From the time he was alive, many of his verses were set to music and performed as folk songs, while bringing the Albanian language up to the level of a beautifully weaved literary language. An interesting object of study for the experienced and new researcher alike would be the influence of Greek and Roman antiquity and philosophy on the poet’s humanist and literary formation, even though an Eastern influence appeared to be stronger. In comparative studies, Naim has often been aligned with Hesiod or some other ancient poet, but unfortunately we see a serious void and absence in illuminating this brilliant figure. More than other Greek and Roman writings, Naim studied and estimated Homer’s writings. Homer would become his true guide in the world of epic poetry.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n4p235