Sir Richard C. Jebb, Commentary on Sophocles: Electra

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823-870

Kommos. 1st strophe, 823—835, =1st antistr., 836—848: 2nd str., 849—859, =2nd antistr., 860—870. For metres see Metrical Analysis. Changes of person occur within a verse (as in 829 ff., “ΗΛ. φεῦ. ΧΟ. μηδὲν μέγ᾽ ἀΰσῃς. ΗΛ. ἀπολεῖς. ΧΟ. πῶς”; ). This indicates that the Chorus is here represented by the coryphaeus; it is, in fact, a lyric duet between the leader and Electra. Similar duets occur in O. T. 649—697 and O. C. 510—548, passages which further resemble this as being “κομμοί” inserted in “ἐπεισόδια”: also in the parodos of the O. C.(as at 178 ff.), and its exodos (as at 1677 ff.): and in Ph. 1081—1217 (as at 1184 f.).

These lyrics mark the climax of Electra's grief. The comforter vainly seeks to rouse her from despair.

ποῦ ποτε “κ.τ.λ.” ‘where are they?’ means here, ‘what are they doing, —if they see this, and do not punish?’ It is the part of the Sun-god to reveal guilt (cp. n. on 424 f.), and of the thunderbolts to smite it.

φαέθων: Il. 11. 735“ἠέλιος φαέθων”. This familiar phrase explains why “ἅλιος” (confirmed by the metre of 838) was changed in some MSS. to “ἀέλιος.”

ἐφορῶντες, passively viewing; —just as in Tr. 1269（“θεοὶ”) “τοιαῦτ᾽ ἐφορῶσι πάθη.”

κρύπτουσιν: schol. “οὐκ ἄγουσιν εἰς φῶς”, do not brand by exposure and chastisement. Cp. “συγκρύπτειν τινί τι”, to connive by silence at an offence ( Andoc. or. 1 § 67, etc.).