Abstract
Plato’s dialogue Ion begins the West’s venerable suspicion of art, artists, and artmaking in general and of the poetic, storytelling, and theatrical arts in particular. Plato’s arguments against Ion, a rhapsode (i.e., a performer of Homeric epic poetry), may be read as strictly pertaining to the ancient rhapsodes— or may be read through as a kind of historicized defense of contemporary storytellers. This essay revisits and reconsiders Plato’s dialogue and offers new replies for the hapless Ion.
Recommended Citation
Gentile, John S.
(2008)
"Defending Ion: A Contemporary Rhapsode Replies,"
Storytelling, Self, Society: Vol. 4:
Iss.
2, Article 7.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/storytelling/vol4/iss2/7
COinS