671 Several particles are intensive, denoting emphasis or stress, of
slightly varying degree and kind.
- a. Mήν in truth is the strongest, often giving prominence
to the whole statement rather than to a single word; ἦ μήν
verily introduces the formula of an oath; καὶ μὴν and surely,
and see, in tragedy often calls attention to a newcomer.
The weakened form μέν sometimes retains a similar force
(cp. [669](file:///x:/Departments/Classics_Texts/schoolgrammarofa00goodrich_porson/HTML%20Files/Chapter-669.html)).
- b. The enclitic *γε emphasises the preceding word by
restriction. At least has a like force, but is usually too
strong; a slight stress of voice is sometimes the only translation possible. *γοῦν (γε and οὖν,
[673 a](file:///x:/Departments/Classics_Texts/schoolgrammarofa00goodrich_porson/HTML%20Files/Chapter-673.html)) is a stronger at least,
at any rate.
- c. The most untranslatable and elusive is a *δή.
(1) Its force falls on a single preceding word (though
another particle may intervene), marking the idea as obvious,
definite, positive; δῆλα δή quite plain, πολλοὶ δή a great many,
κάλλιστος δή the very finest, clearly the finest, οὕτως δή in just
this way, ποῦ δή; where, pray? εἰ δή if indeed, ὁρᾶτε δή you
see, of course, τότε δή then indeed. Sometimes it gives an
ironical tone, forsooth, as he claims.
(2) Its force extends to a whole clause, near the beginning
of which it stands; it then marks the statement as obvious,
to be expected under the circumstances; it may thus become
inferential, of course, you see, clearly, accordingly.
- d. The form a *δῆτα surely is a stronger, δήπου (δή and που)
a weaker δή. δήπου is often ironical, doubtless, I suppose.
δῆθεν is almost always ironical, forsooth.
- e. The enclitic *τοι is by origin a for dative of σύ (older
τύ); thus it calls the listenerʼs attention to the statement, as
one that concerns him. The translation is various; doubtless,
you knοw, be assured, have a similar tone, but are usually too
strong. Frequent compounds are μέντοι (
[669 b](file:///x:/Departments/Classics_Texts/schoolgrammarofa00goodrich_porson/HTML%20Files/Chapter-669.html)), οὔτοι surely
not. For τοίνυν, etc., see [673 b](file:///x:/Departments/Classics_Texts/schoolgrammarofa00goodrich_porson/HTML%20Files/Chapter-673.html).