Skaldic Blends Out of Joint: Blending Theory and Aesthetic Conventions

摘要

This article is concerned with the theory of metaphor and its relation to aesthetics. The case-study is concerned with theory of metaphorical constraint, but is argued to have wider implications. It begins with a survey of the Greco-Roman tradition, which tends to confine metaphor to likeness. It is argued that also the dissimilar parts can affect the aesthetic value of metaphors in certain contexts of communication. Examples are drawn from skaldic poetry since this genre presupposes a metaphorical thinking which differs from that found in classical aesthetics. The skaldic metaphors in question appear to demand a violation of the principles of metaphorical constraint put forth in conceptual integration theory (blending). It is proposed that the reason for this is that blending is based on aesthetics of classical learning, while skaldic metaphors adhere to different aesthetic principles. On these grounds blending theory's claims of universality are questioned.View full textDownload full textRelated var addthis_config = { ui_cobrand: "Taylor & Francis Online", services_compact: "citeulike,netvibes,twitter,technorati,delicious,linkedin,facebook,stumbleupon,digg,google,more", pubid: "ra-4dff56cd6bb1830b" }; Add to shortlist Link Permalink http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10926488.2012.716295