dickey. — on delays before recognitions. 465 



Sophocles. 



Electra. 



The recognition scene in the Electra of Sophocles presents some 

 striking differences as compared with that of the Choephori ; first in 

 the length of the ' primary ' delay and in the skilful management of 

 the ' secondary ' delay made possible by the introduction of the urn 

 filled with the supposed ashes of Orestes. The recognition is expected 

 from the beginning. The audience knows that Orestes is present, and 

 he heightens the interest by saying in 80, 28 ap'eo-riv y) SvWt/vo? 'HAeVrpa, 

 upon hearing her iw poip.01 in 77, likewise by depositing locks of hair 

 at his father's tomb (Kapa.Top.oLs x^a??, 52), which is particularly rein- 

 forced by the announcement of Chrysothemis in 900-901, co-^ar^s 8' 6pQ> 

 | 7rupas veiopr] fioo-Tpvxov Terp.rjp.evoi', although developments have been 

 such that Electra cannot on such evidence share the belief of her sister 

 that Orestes has recently visited the tomb. Finally, the appearance of 

 Orestes and Pylades (1098), face to face with Electra, must signify to 

 the audience that the long delayed recognition is about to take place. 

 At this point begins the ' secondary ' delay, which is skilfully drawn 

 out until Orestes is made to end it in 1221-1223, rr)v8e 7rpoo-/3Aei//ao-a 



p.ov I cr<ppaylBa irarpos eKpau' el o-acprj Aeyw. 



Oedipus Tyrannus. 



In this drama, which appears to have the most complicated plot of 

 any extant Greek tragedy, one should expect to find a most highly de- 

 veloped recognition scene ; such is the case. From the announcement 

 of the oracle (106-107 29 ) to wreak vengeance on the murderers of Laius, 

 the audience must look forward to the recognition, knowing that the 

 self-discovery of Oedipus means his ruin. The plot is complicated, and 

 an opportunity for delay is given by the introduction of the Corinthian 

 element. The final act of recognition depends on the convergence of 

 the evidence of the Theban and Corinthian herdsmen, the former pos- 

 sessing the key to the situation. This the audience understands, and 

 therefore must take special interest in Oedipus' decision (859-860, 

 dAA' o/ao)S tov aypo-rrjv \ irepif/ov tlvo. areXovvra prj8e tovt' d^fls) to Summon 

 the peasant who was present at the murder of Laius. But the 'pri- 

 mary ' delay is extended by the introduction of the Corinthian herds- 

 man, who shows that Oedipus is not the son of Polybus and Merope, 



28 I quote the text of Dindorf. 



29 toutov OavSvros vvv iirioreWei <xa<pws \ tovs avroeuras x«'pl rifj.wpe~iv riva. 

 vol. xliii. — 30 



