Reforming The Eyes: Interpreters And Interpretation In The Vita Apollonii

In discussing the depiction of Apollonius as an interpreter in the Vita Apollonii (VA), it is convenient to divide the scenes in which this role is most evident into a number of groups. This chapter first discusses the scenes in which an interpretive dialogue takes place between Apollonius and another character. Second, the scenes in which Apollonius refuses to interpret are considered and the reasons which are given or implied for this refusal. Lastly, the chapter examines the sophistic certainty with which Apollonius makes his pronouncements and the use of literature and myth/history as a means of explaining current situations. Despite the dominance of Apollonius' interpretive voice, readers are left with a remarkable amount of freedom as to how they will approach the text, which of its hermeneutic cues they will follow, and the reading or readings to which this will lead. Keywords: Apollonius' interpretive voice; literature; myth; Vita Apollonii