Genre in antiquity

Christian Alexander

I recently watched a lecture on biblical texts and their genre. This was a class and a friend of mine is taking it. The professor said something to the effect of the following: "In biblical antquity the theological underpinning of certain documents were not found in a connotation of genre. Genre did not come into existence until before the Reformation. Gerard Gennette stated that three imitational, mimetic genres, differentiated by imitation style rather than substance, were created by Plato. The dramatic dialogue genre (the drama); the pure narrative genre (the dithyramb); and the hybrid genre (the epic) are these three imitational forms. Lyric poetry was not included by Plato as a non-mimetic, imitational kind of formation." I do not understand how the genre of biblical texts can be tied to Plato? How can Logos help me with this search query? 

MJ. Smith

I do not understand how the genre of biblical texts can be tied to Plato?

Quick - name the literary theorists of each of the major cultures with significant influence over the Jewish homelands. While there were advanced literature traditions in Egypt and Mesopotamia, I've never heard of any literary theorists to parallel Aristotle/Plato. In fact, far back in my memory on the history of ideas, I think the concept of species (genre) applied to literature traces to Aristotle. So, it is reasonable to assume that during the time when Israel was under the influence of Hellenistic culture, that Greek theorists filled the literary theorist slot. Reading about the Hellenistic portion of the second temple period's history and culture (something I believe you have asked about in the last day or two) should answer your questions.

As for Plato, I think of him as speaking of mimesis (imitation) with regards to literature and, as such, having a rather negative view of it. No where in my well-aged memory do I have anything that links him to genre ... you need someone who doesn't have to reach so many decades back to access Plato.

Or, I could be sassy and tell you that if you can trace the line of influence, Bharata Muni's Natya Shastra is the other literary theory available in the time frame.