| Previous SubSect
| Next SubSect
|
The term parataxis (παράταξις
a. In Greek, παράταξις means simply coördination in general, as ὑπόταξις means
In many cases parataxis is a common form of expression
not only in the earlier language of Homer, but also in Attic prose and poetry.
So frequently in Attic prose with καί, τὲ . . . καί, ἅμα . . . καί, εὐθὺς . . . καί, and with δέ meaning καὶ ἅμα ταῦτ' ἔλεγε καὶ ἀπῄει
a. Temporal conjunctions, as ἡνίκα, are rarely used to introduce such clauses, which often indicate a sudden or decisive occurrence or simultaneous action.
b. Thucydides is especially fond of καί or τέ to coördinate two ideas, one of which is subordinate to the other.
2170Parataxis often occurs when a thought naturally subordinate is made independent for the sake of emphasis or liveliness. Such rhetorical parataxis occurs chiefly in the orators and in Pindar. So especially when μέν and δέ are used to coördinate two contrasted clauses, the former of which is logically subordinate and inserted to heighten the force of the latter. Here English uses whereas, while. Thus, αἰσχρόν ἐστι, εἰ ἐγὼ μὲν τὰ ἔργα τῶν ὑπὲρ ὑ_μῶν πόνων ὑπέμεινα, ὑ_μεῖς δὲ μηδὲ τοὺς λόγους αὐτῶν ἀνέξεσθε
There exist many traces in Greek of the use of the older coördination in place of which some form of subordination was adopted, either entirely or in part, in the later language.
a. Thus several relative pronouns and adverbs were originally demonstrative, and as such pointed either to the earlier or the later clause. So ὁ, ἡ, τό ( cross1105, cp. cross1114): τεύχεα δ' ἐξενάριζε, τά οἱ πόρε χάλκεος Ἄρης (H cross146) meant originally he stripped him of his arms; these brazen Ares had given him. τέως καὶ τέως ἐστὶ καιρός, ἀντιλάβεσθε τῶν πρα_γμάτων
Homer often places two thoughts in juxtaposition without any regard for logical connection. This is especially common with δέ, τέ, καί, αὐτάρ, ἀλλά. Thus, πολὺς δ' ὀρυμαγδὸς ἐπ' αὐτῷ ἀνδρῶν ἠδὲ κυνῶν, ἀπό τέ σφισιν (for οἶς)
Κ 185ὕπνος ὄλωλεν
a. So also in clauses preceded by a relative word; as εἷος ὁ ταῦθ' ὥρμαινε . . ., ἐκ δ' Ἑλένη θαλάμοιο . . . ἤλυθεν
b. This use appears even in Attic prose; as οἰκοσι δ' ἐν μιᾷ τῶν νήσων οὐ
μεγάλῃ, καλεῖται δὲ (for ἣ καλεῖται) Λιπάρα_
| Previous SubSect
| Next SubSect
|
Herbert Weir Smyth [n.d.], A Greek Grammar for Colleges; Machine readable text [info] [word count] [Smyth].
