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οὗτος ἀνήρ —: ‘aposiopesis.’ Polus is so astonished that he does not know what to say. The complete exclamation (always without the article) occurs 489 b. Cf. 505 c. Polus' astonishment, as well as stupidity, are still more evident in the words which follow, σχέτλια λέγεις καὶ ὑπερφυᾶ. σχέτλιος is taken from Homer, where, however, it is only used of persons (except rarely in the Odyssey); ὑπερφυής is not unknown in Attic, but occurs in Plato (except here and 477 d) only in the adverbial form.

τούτου πρόσθεν: can, of course, be considered as a gloss on ἄρτι, but it heightens the effect, from a mimetic point of view, as well by its meaning, “a moment ago,” as by its position at the end of the sentence.

δέ: almost equiv. to “although.” It is often used in the second of clauses thus connected to emphasize the opposition.

λῷστε Πῶλε: ‘paronomasia’ in Polus' style. See on 448 c.

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hide References (4 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (4):
    • Plato, Gorgias, 448c
    • Plato, Gorgias, 477d
    • Plato, Gorgias, 489b
    • Plato, Gorgias, 505c
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