The Funeral Oration in Euripides' Supplices
The Funeral Oration in Euripides' Supplices
Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies 19 (1972) 39–53
This play contains among several distinct dramatic features a ‘funeral oration’ delivered in praise of the ‘Seven Against Thebes’, all killed in that morally questionable assault and some of them very flawed heroes (see also 9) below). The paper discusses the major textual difficulties of the speech, which bear strongly on its interpretation as a whole; then its general character in a mythical setting, in relation to several literary records and examples of the great Athenian funeral orations delivered annually in praise of the war-dead, homilies to encourage civic virtues and pride. A final section establishes the oration as in formal harmony with play's plot and setting, and with its underlying ideals; it defends the oration against some critics’ scorn as a satire on the conventions of the Athenian annual speech.
Keywords: Euripides, Suppliants, funeral orations, historical reality, dramatic accommodation
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