Tuesday, December 31, 2019
An analysis of how dikh (ââ¬Ëjusticeââ¬â¢) and its associated...
An analysis of how dikh (ââ¬Ëjusticeââ¬â¢) and its associated values are presented and translated in two passages from Sophocles: Electra. What broader issues are raised and how would these be investigated further? The concept of dikh, or ââ¬Ëjusticeââ¬â¢ has many subtle meanings and variations in Ancient Greek ranging from the primary definition given in LS (Liddell and Scotts, ââ¬ËGreek-English Lexiconââ¬â¢, Intermediate, 1889, page 202) of custom to right, judgement, lawsuit, penalty and vengeance. The OCD (Hornblower S, Oxford Classical Dictionary, 1996, Page 469) reference to Likh describes it as the, ââ¬Ëpersonification of justiceââ¬â¢ and the daughter of Zeus that, ââ¬Ëreports menââ¬â¢s wrongdoing to Zeusââ¬â¢. Sophoclesââ¬â¢ rendition of the tragic playâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦This is strange, especially as the remaining children conspire and eventually murder those responsible for their fatherââ¬â¢s death. They presumably feel otherwise. In just this one passage justice is used to mean custom, just, revenge and vengeance. The second extract follows immediately after the news of Orestes death (Ibid., pg 91) when Clytaemnestra, after a brief moment of sorrow is joyous at the news that her life is now safe. In contrast we see that Electra is devastated (Ibid., line 789) at the news. The idea of justice and revenge is brought to a climax here as Clytaemnestra feels that, ââ¬ËJustice is done to himââ¬â¢. Would this be justice to Orestes for not doing ââ¬Ëhis dutyââ¬â¢ or to Agamemnon for sacrificing his child? This compares well with the previous passage where Clytaemnestra accuses Electra of not doing her duty (Ibid., pg 84, line 526). Electra cries out to Likh, ââ¬ËGoddess of Vengeance, hear and speak for the deadââ¬â¢. It is clear from the many interpretations of dikh and its use in Sophoclesââ¬â¢ Electra that other, broader issues can be raised. The very concepts of justice, revenge, honour and custom are exposed in detail. Understanding these issues and the language used requires further study of the period, language, laws, customs and traditions. The most important issue raised by this play is that of how do we (or more specifically the Greeks watching the play) feel about matricide
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