Aristophanes Wasps 936-939 more inanimate witnesses

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seneca2008
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Aristophanes Wasps 936-939 more inanimate witnesses

Post by seneca2008 »

On another thread there has been some discussion about the personification of inanimate objects (there water, air and blood) as witnesses. It reminded me of the following From Wasps 936-939.

αὐτὸς καθελοῦ: τοὺς μάρτυρας γὰρ ἐσκαλῶ.
Λάβητι μάρτυρας παρεῖναι τρύβλιον
δοίδυκα τυρόκνηστιν ἐσχάραν χύτραν,
καὶ τἄλλα, τὰ σκεύη τὰ προσκεκαυμένα.

Whilst it is not an exact parallel I thought it amusing and worth mentioning. There were indeed other aspects of that thread which were reminiscent of Aristophanes' parody of an Athenian court.

I am posting here, where I hope it makes sense on its own, as I have no desire to prolong the other thread.
Persuade tibi hoc sic esse, ut scribo: quaedam tempora eripiuntur nobis, quaedam subducuntur, quaedam effluunt. Turpissima tamen est iactura, quae per neglegentiam fit. Et si volueris attendere, maxima pars vitae elabitur male agentibus, magna nihil agentibus, tota vita aliud agentibus.

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Paul Derouda
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Re: Aristophanes Wasps 936-939 more inanimate witnesses

Post by Paul Derouda »

This is actually a very good parallel! I haven't read this play, but I suspect I've seen these lines before, as that other thread gave me a strange feeling of déjà vu...

What form is λάβητι?

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seneca2008
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Re: Aristophanes Wasps 936-939 more inanimate witnesses

Post by seneca2008 »

What form is λάβητι?
Dative of λάβησ (a silent character , a dog) with παρεῖναι infinitive used as an imperative. "Witnesses for Labes stand at hand." There is a lot of woofing in this scene from various dogs and their puppies. The cheesegrater has a crucial role. Although it appears only Bdelycleon can understand her. There is I am sure a semi(di)otic joke in here but I will refrain for fear of upsetting mwh.
Persuade tibi hoc sic esse, ut scribo: quaedam tempora eripiuntur nobis, quaedam subducuntur, quaedam effluunt. Turpissima tamen est iactura, quae per neglegentiam fit. Et si volueris attendere, maxima pars vitae elabitur male agentibus, magna nihil agentibus, tota vita aliud agentibus.

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Paul Derouda
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Re: Aristophanes Wasps 936-939 more inanimate witnesses

Post by Paul Derouda »

Ah! Thanks.

Cheesegrater! Those a very handy every time I need a drink (κυκεών).

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Re: Aristophanes Wasps 936-939 more inanimate witnesses

Post by bedwere »

I guess the name of the dog derives from λάπτω.

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seneca2008
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Re: Aristophanes Wasps 936-939 more inanimate witnesses

Post by seneca2008 »

Licker. :D
Persuade tibi hoc sic esse, ut scribo: quaedam tempora eripiuntur nobis, quaedam subducuntur, quaedam effluunt. Turpissima tamen est iactura, quae per neglegentiam fit. Et si volueris attendere, maxima pars vitae elabitur male agentibus, magna nihil agentibus, tota vita aliud agentibus.

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Paul Derouda
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Re: Aristophanes Wasps 936-939 more inanimate witnesses

Post by Paul Derouda »

Sorry, I'm veering even more off topic, but for everyone who finds Licker amusing, the Batrachomyomachy is a must. Every character there – frogs and mice – has a name in this vein.

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Re: Aristophanes Wasps 936-939 more inanimate witnesses

Post by MarkAntony198337 »

ἀπόλλυται

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