Lampas - Volume 50, Issue 1, 2017

Summary In this paper I argue for a psychological reading of the Electra of Euripides. The negative qualifications of Clytaemnestra by the farmer, the chorus and the old man strengthen the conviction of Electra and Orestes that they have no choice but to kill their mother, so that in the first half of the play they only consider how to do it, not if they should do it. Their conviction is challenged when Clytaemnestra arrives on sta Read More

Summary The aim of this article is to show that modern linguistic approaches may be used in the analysis of characterization in Greek tragedy, specifically that of Euripides’ version of Electra in the eponymous play. I analyse several of Electra’s interactions with other characters in the play’s early scenes, applying insights from linguistic politeness theory and conversation analysis, in order to show that Electra’s linguistic ‘beha Read More

Summary This article examines the first stasimon of Euripides’ Electra, which contains a description of the shield of Achilles. After an introduction on the choral ode, the shield of Achilles is subjected to archaeological analysis. This analysis focuses on the question whether the decorative emblems on the shield are realistic or fantastic. The question is, in other words, whether this shield could appear on the archaic-classical Read More

Summary Book 3 of Virgil’s Aeneid has always been evaluated quite negatively, and scholars have been surprised by the Homeric fantasy world that is presented. This article will present a metapoetical reading of Aeneid 3, explaining the striking nature of the book, which is interpreted as commenting on Virgil’s relationship with Homeric epic.

Summary This article examines the Achaemenides episode in the third book of Virgil’s Aeneid (3.588-691). It explores the intratextual connections with the Sinon episode in the second book and especially Virgil’s highly creative ‘rewriting’ of the Cyclops episode in the Odyssey (9.106-566). Particular attention is paid to the ways in which the Virgilian text metapoetically signals its intertextual engagement with the Odyssey. An Read More

Summary The interpretation of Greek and Latin texts is one of the learning objectives of the Dutch secondary school curriculum in Greek and Latin languages and cultures. In this context, ‘interpretation’ entails both the skill to find meaning in Greek and Latin texts yourself and knowledge of existing interpretations. This article aims to combine these two aspects of interpretation when teaching Virgil’s Aeneid. I suggest that a n Read More