[*] 299. Sometimes οὐ with the future indicative in a question implying an affirmative answer (thus equivalent to an exhortation) is followed by μή or μηδέ with the future in a question implying a negative answer (and thus equivalent to a prohibition). Here there is no case of οὐ μή. E.g.
- “Οὐ σῖγ᾽ ἀνέξει, μηδὲ δειλίαν ἀρεῖς;” “will you not keep silence, and not become a coward?” SOPH. Aj. 75. (Here μὴ δειλίαν ἀρεῖς; is an independent question, will you be a coward? = do not be a coward.)
- “Οὐ θᾶσσον οἴσεις, μηδ᾽ ἀπιστήσεις ἐμοί;” “ will you not extend your hand. and not distrust me?” Id. Tr. 1183.
- “Οὐκ εἶ σύ τ᾽ οἴκους, σύ τε Κρέων κατὰ στέγας, καὶ μὴ τὸ μηδὲν ἄλγος εἰς μέγ᾽ οἴσετε;” Id. O.T. 637.