Can anyone explain the syntax - I guess it's idiomatic Latin or some such - of this.
Davus asks Quintus - who is ill with a sore foot and a sore head - how he is:
Quintus: Quomodo se habet pes tuus hodie?
I'm not sure of the syntax and why it's in 3rd person. Does se habet refer to his 'pes' - i.e. 'How is your foot doing today?
Actually perhaps of more interest is - can anyone explain the case of 'tuus'. Why isn't it 'tuum'
Not sure of syntax or why 3rd person is used
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Re: Not sure of syntax or why 3rd person is used
Yes, exactly.pmda wrote:Does se habet refer to his 'pes' - i.e. 'How is your foot doing today?
Bene mē habeō: "I have myself well" = I am well.
Quōmodo tē habēs?: "How do you have yourself?" = How are you?
Quōmodo sē māter tua habet?: How are your mother?
Etc.
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Re: Not sure of syntax or why 3rd person is used
Pes tuus is the subject of habet - how does your foot have itself today? How does your foot fare today?Quintus: Quomodo se habet pes tuus hodie?
I'm not sure of the syntax and why it's in 3rd person. Does se habet refer to his 'pes' - i.e. 'How is your foot doing today?
Pes is masculine.Actually perhaps of more interest is - can anyone explain the case of 'tuus'. Why isn't it 'tuum'
Dolor poetas creat.