The Reception of Greco-Roman Classics in Hilda Hilst

Abstract

This article seeks to engage with the studies of the reception of Greco-Roman classics by examining Hilda Hilst’s Júbilo, memória e noviciado da paixão (1974), with a particular focus on the section “Ode descontínua e remota para flauta e oboé. De Ariana para Dionísio,” in relation to Roman literary productions. Through comparisons with Catullus’ “Poem 64” and Ovid’s “Heroides X,” the study explores how the myths of Theseus, Ariadne, and Dionysus are reimagined through their reception by Roman poets and by Hilst. The article first establishes a theoretical framework by situating classical reception studies within the context of Bakogianni (2016). This is followed by an analysis of Greco-Roman mythological production, essential for understanding the inspirations behind the works of Catullus and Ovid, drawing on the perspective provided by Brandão (1987). After contextualizing the myths of Ariadne, Theseus, and Dionysus, the article presents and analyzes Catullus’ “Poem 64” and Ovid’s “Heroides X.” Ultimately, by engaging in a dialogue between classical texts and Hilst’s work, this study concludes that Hilst not only revives the classics but also transforms them, establishing a conversation between past and present and underscoring the enduring relevance of these myths in contemporary literature.