Pindaric Intertextuality and Tragic Irony in Sophocles’ Trachiniae

What is it about?

The purpose of this article is to provide further insight into various interpretative issues raised by the first stasimon of Sophocles’ Trachiniae (Tr. 497-530). Firstly, I argue that the influence of epinician lyric on Sophocles’ stasimon is not only restricted to similarities and parallels in imagery and style, but can be further supported by specific reminiscences of Pindaric odes (Isthmian 4, Nemean 1): this entails a deeper reflection upon the negotiations and differentiations between epinician and tragic poetry, and the role of Pindaric intertextuality for the achievement of tragic irony. Subsequently, I show how the enigmatic conclusion of the stasimon (Tr. 526-530) can be relevant for a better understanding of the function and meaning of the stasimon within the development of the entire plot, and a further appreciation of Sophocles’ original approach to the mythical tradition and his ‘tragicization’ of Hercales’ and Deianeira’s figures.

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