Metrical Constraint and the Interpretation of Style in the Tragic Trimeter is an interpretation of the choices the Greek tragedians made in regard to certain forms of standardized variations in word order and prosody. Dr. Nicholas Baechle demonstrates that in their compositional practice the tragedians collectively decided to use certain prosodic variations to fit metrically intractable words and phrases. This book is grounded in metrical constraint and the mechanics of trimester composition, but also extends to a greater understanding of the stylistic sensibilities of the tragedians and of their feeling for the generic ethos of tragic dialogue. By means of comparisons with Aristophanes' general practice, and with paratragic imitations of tragic style, the distinctiveness of the style of tragic dialogue versus the rendition of speech in comedy is made clear. Metrical Constraint and the Interpretation of Style in the Tragic Trimeter offers a critical and sophisticated perspective on Greek drama that will appeal to anyone interested in language and classical studies.
Nicholas Baechle is Assistant Professor in the Hanover College Classics Department.
Part 1 Treatment of Word Shapes in Composition and the Use of Prosodic VariationChapter 2 Definition of Word ShapesChapter 3 Metrical Lengthening of Short Final VowelsChapter 4 Correptio Attica vs Metrical LengtheningChapter 5 SynizesisChapter 6 Elision and Lengthening of Words ShapedPart 7 The Use of Hyperbation in Composition and its InterpretationChapter 8 Marked Forms of Word Order for Prepositional PhrasesChapter 9 Metrical and Prosodic Variations at Mid-LineChapter 10 Hyperbata of the Form Modifier—Verb—Noun or the ReverseChapter 11 Distribution of Word Shapes
...this is a sound, detailed study, useful for scholars of metrics, tragedy, and comedy...
