Menestheus speaking:
‘ἔρχεο δῖε Θοῶτα, θέων Αἴαντα κάλεσσον,
ἀμφοτέρω μὲν μᾶλλον:
Question about aspect: why is the first imperative present and the second an aorist? Is there a real distinction (that escapes me), or are the two often interchangable and chosen for for instance metric reasons?
Iliad 12, 343-344
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Re: Iliad 12, 343-344
I think the present imperative has a sort of dramatic effect here, not simply "go!" but "be going!" As always, a present stem implies a continuous, undelimited action and an aorist stem a complete action. So καλεσσον as an aorist shows that calling Aias is a whole, complete action.
I would say that the form might be chosen for metrical reasons, but that also changes the meaning a bit. I suppose an aorist form might have well been used instead of ερχεο, and then it would mean "go!".
I would say that the form might be chosen for metrical reasons, but that also changes the meaning a bit. I suppose an aorist form might have well been used instead of ερχεο, and then it would mean "go!".
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Re: Iliad 12, 343-344
Hi, Bart.Bart wrote:‘ἔρχεο δῖε Θοῶτα, θέων Αἴαντα κάλεσσον,
ἀμφοτέρω μὲν μᾶλλον:
...why is the first imperative present and the second an aorist?
For what is worth, Gaza preserves the aspect of ἔρχεο (πορεύου) while Psellos switches it to the aorist (ἄπελθε.)
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Re: Iliad 12, 343-344
Thanks guys!
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Re: Iliad 12, 343-344
Perhaps "Get going!" is a good English equivalent?Paul Derouda wrote:I think the present imperative has a sort of dramatic effect here, not simply "go!" but "be going!"