Nota sobre Odisea 1.7

Abstract

The genitive αὐτῶν with which the seventh line of the Odyssey starts in the vulgata and in all modern editions allows in principle several interpretations. In this paper, we defend a hypothesis that has so far never been raised: the function of the genitive as the expression of a semi-subject, that is, of a subject that has semantic and pragmatic properties which do not correspond exactly to the properties of the prototypical subject and with a grammatical codification that is also different from the grammatical codification of the prototypical subject, this is, the nominative. This analysis of αὐτῶν solves the disadvantages of other interpretations and is supported by the use of the genitive in other Homeric passages and in the works of subsequent writers. If we accept the hypothesis that is defended in this paper, we would be facing the first example in Greek of unequivocal agreement in number and person between the genitive and its verbal predicate.

The genitive αὐτῶν with which the seventh line of the Odyssey starts in the vulgata and in all modern editions allows in principle several interpretations. In this paper, we defend a hypothesis that has so far never been raised: the function of the genitive as the expression of a semi-subject, that is, of a subject that has semantic and pragmatic properties which do not correspond exactly to the properties of the prototypical subject and with a grammatical codification that is also different from the grammatical codification of the prototypical subject, this is, the nominative. This analysis of αὐτῶν solves the disadvantages of other interpretations and is supported by the use of the genitive in other Homeric passages and in the works of subsequent writers. If we accept the hypothesis that is defended in this paper, we would be facing the first example in Greek of unequivocal agreement in number and person between the genitive and its verbal predicate.

El genitivo αὐτῶν con el que empieza la séptima línea de la Odisea en la vulgata permite muchas interpretaciones en todas las ediciones modernas. En este artículo, defendemos la hipótesis de algo que no se ha propuesto hasta ahora: la función del genitivo como expresión de un semi-sujeto, es decir, de un sujeto con propiedades semánticas y pragmáticas que no se corresponden con las propiedades prototípicas de un sujeto, y con una codificación gramática que también difiere de la codificación gramática de un sujeto prototípico, es decir, el nominativo. Este análisis de αὐτῶν resuelve los inconvenientes de otras interpretaciones, y apoya el uso del genitivo en otros pasajes de Homero, y el trabajo de posteriores escritores. Si aceptamos la hipótesis que se defiende en este artículo, estaríamos enfrentándonos al primer ejemplo de un acuerdo indiscutible griego en número y persona entre el genitivo y su predicado.