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Sophocles O.C. 217

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2009

Raanana Meridor
Raanana Meridor
Affiliation:
The Hebrew University, Jerusalem
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Extract

The attribution of line 217 to Antigone seems never to have been questioned, and Hermann's emendation in 219 for the of the MSS.) has been generally accepted as ‘fitting, since Oedipus and Antigone have just been speaking together’ (Jebb ; alii similia). However, the introduction of Antigone into this lyrical dialogue may result from misunderstanding the tenor of the scene. The passage in question is difficult in parts and the text frequently emended ; nevertheless, enough seems clear to suggest that 217 belongs to the chorus. Antigone's alleged participation would interrupt the crescendo of the chorus's unremitting pressure on Oedipus until he complies with their demand in 220. The restoration of 217 to the chorus would thus reveal another instance of Sophocles‘ absolute concentration on the action developing at the moment, regardless of whoever else is on the stage.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Classical Quarterly , Volume 22 , Issue 2 , December 1972 , pp. 229 - 230
Copyright
Copyright © The Classical Association 1972

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References

page 229 note 1 seems to mean literally ‘since you are walking up to [or, const. praegn., ‘have walked up to and are now walking on’] land beyond which there is nothing’, i.e. you have no place for further retreat or for further straggling, you cannot further evade us. is Triclinius’ emendation for the MSS.’ is otherwise used by Sophocles only either as qualifying adjective or, when as n. sing. or n. pl. subst., defined by a genitive noun.

page 229 note 2 assentient ’malgre lui’ (Denniston, , Greek Particles 2, p. 16). is hapax legomenon; the verb , is not found in the extant tragedies of Sophocles.Google Scholar

page 230 note 1 MSS.: (or Emendations proposed : Triclinius, Elmsley, Blaydes, Hermann. Blaydes's is prima facie attractive, but seems not to fit the metre used in this passage : it would introduce the only parcemiac with a longum all the other parcemiacs (217, 221, 223, 225, 227) having double short If the metre is assumed to have been consistent throughout, either Hermann's or Tri clinius’ emendation is possible in spite of the singular before and after; cf. 226 (including Antigone) with 233 sqq. Most attractive is Elmsley's : now that Oedipus has surrendered to the chorus and undertaken to carry out their order, he has as it were become one of them.