1200.
mvp-comment-574-1
μόνος ποτέ]
i.e. οὐδείς ποτε ἄλλος ἐπῴκτειρεν.
1201.
mvp-comment-575-1
(1) 'I am the only one who brings with him a feeling of the same misfortunes.'
τοῖς ἴσοις, like
τῶν ἴσων, supr. 1168, implies rather 'identity' than 'equality.' Orestes does not mean that his personal sufferings have been like Electra's, but first that in the essential point,
viz. that their father has been murdered and is unavenged, they share equally in the same sorrow, and also that her sorrows are felt by him as his own.
Cp. Aesch. Cho. 222, 3,
ΗΛ. ἀλλ᾽ ἐν κακοῖσι τοῖς ἐμοῖς γελᾶν θέλεις. ΟΡ. κἀν τοῖς ἐμοῖς ἄρ᾽, εἴπερ ἔν γε τοῖσι σοῖς (
ubi τοῖς ἴσοις M. pr.). This parallel favours the other reading here, (2)
τοῖσι σοῖς, which, as Prof. Paley argues, gives a simpler meaning, and may also be thought more pathetic. But it is less in keeping with the subtle gradations of this recognition-scene.
1206.
mvp-comment-576-1
μὴ.. τοῦτό μ' ἐργάσῃ] Orestes has reached forth his hand to take the urn from her.
1209.
mvp-comment-577-1
Orestes again offers to take away the urn.
1210.
mvp-comment-578-1
ὦ.. σέθεν]
Cp. especially Trach. 972,
ὤμοι ἐγὼ σοῦ μέλεος.
1211.
mvp-comment-579-1
εὔφημα φώνει] 'Speak no such ill-omened words,'—as to mention a tomb in connection with the living:
infr. 1219.
1213-1214.
mvp-comment-580-1
The language by which Orestes tries to undeceive his sister is so worded as to seem cruel to her, as if she were unworthy to hold her brother's urn.
1215.
mvp-comment-581-1
οὐδενός] The pronoun (masc.) has a strong pathetic emphasis. 'Dishonoured in no way!'
See Essay on L. § 22. p. 36 fin.
1218.
mvp-comment-582-1
At this point Electra is more than ever forlorn. But at the word
ζῶντος in 1219 a ray of hope strikes her in spite of herself.
1220.
mvp-comment-583-1
ὦ παῖ;] Electra's bewilderment, and the contrast of appearance and fact, are equally marked by her thus artlessly addressing the Stranger as if he were her younger brother.
Cp. O. T. 1030; Aj. 339, and notes.
1223-1224.
mvp-comment-584-1
There is a pause here, during which Electra examines the seal.
1225.
mvp-comment-585-1
ὦ φθέγμ᾽]
Essay on L. § 50. p. 94.
1226.
mvp-comment-586-1
ὡς . . ἔχοις] ‘As I would that you may have me evermore.’
1231.
mvp-comment-587-1
γεγηθὸς .. δάκρυον]
Essay on L. § 42. p. 8ο γ.
