In this fragment, Laches gives his despotic wife Crobyle the name of “Lamia” (l. 1). This name must be understood as a reference to the monster of the ancient popular and poetic collective image. However, if we admit that the play was staged after 306 BC, when Lamia, the mighty hetaira of Demetrius Poliorcetes, was dwelling and increasing her personal power and privileges in Athens, this name would have also appeared to the Athenian audience as an allusion to this woman through double entendre. In this case, the passage should be considered as an instance of Menander’s soft onomasti satire.
Lamia nella “Collana” di Menandro (fr. 297 Kassel-Austin)
Fausto Montana
2018-01-01
Abstract
In this fragment, Laches gives his despotic wife Crobyle the name of “Lamia” (l. 1). This name must be understood as a reference to the monster of the ancient popular and poetic collective image. However, if we admit that the play was staged after 306 BC, when Lamia, the mighty hetaira of Demetrius Poliorcetes, was dwelling and increasing her personal power and privileges in Athens, this name would have also appeared to the Athenian audience as an allusion to this woman through double entendre. In this case, the passage should be considered as an instance of Menander’s soft onomasti satire.File in questo prodotto:
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