Soc: And is there anything about which both Homer and Hesiod say the same things?
Ion: Not at all Socrates, only on Homer, I think that is enough. Soc: And I shall indeed make time to listen to you 531A some time, but for now please answer this question for me: are you an expert only on Homer or on Hesiod and Archilochus too? I believe I deserve to be crowned with a wreath of gold by the Homerids. Ion: Yes, indeed Socrates it is well worth hearing how nicely I have embellished Homer. Soc: Well said Ion, yes, you obviously won’t begrudge me a demonstration.
And I think neither Metrodorus of Lampascus nor Stesimbrotos of Thasos nor Glaucon nor anyone else that was ever born has had so many beautiful reflections to offer on Homer as I have. Indeed I believe that I discourse on Homer more beautifully than anyone else. Yes, for me this constitutes the main function of my profession. Indeed the rhapsode must act for the audience as an interpreter of the thought of the poet and it is impossible to do this properly without knowing what the poet means. For no one could ever be a good rhapsode unless he understood the utterances of the poet. And again, we envy the fact that you need to spend time with various poets, lots of them, good ones too, and especially with Homer the best and most divine of them all, and thoroughly understand his thought 530C and not his words alone. For it is always appropriate to this profession of yours that you are dressed up and look as beautiful as you possibly can. Soc: And indeed, Ion, I have often been envious of the skill of you rhapsodes. Make sure that we win at the Panathenaea too. Ion: 530B We came away with first prize Socrates. Soc: Well then, did you compete for us? How did you get on? Ion: They have indeed, and for music and poetry in general. Soc: Oh, have the Epidaurians is also instituted a contest for rhapsodes in honour of the god? Ion: Not at all Socrates, no, I have come from the festival of Asclepius at Epidaurus. Soc: 530A Greetings Ion, from where are you visiting us today? From your home in Ephesus? You can also send feedback to Foundation for Platonic Studies is a charity registered with the Charities Regulatory Authority of Ireland: RCN 20206186.įor more information on the Foundation please visit our About the Foundation page. You can highlight text on any page to quickly send feedback about the work (may not work on all devices). We welcome your feedback on this new translation, which is still being finalised. This project is supported by the Foundation for Platonic Studies.
This website exhibits the fruits of a project, commenced in 2008, to translate the complete works of Plato from the original Greek into English. Ion - The Dialogues of Plato The Dialogues of Plato - Translation by David Horan
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