middle/passive forms of εἰμί

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Jonathan Robie
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middle/passive forms of εἰμί

Post by Jonathan Robie »

Do the middle/passive forms of εἰμί differ from the active forms in meaning?

If so, how? And where can I find a good description of the distinction?
ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες καὶ διηποροῦντο, ἄλλος πρὸς ἄλλον λέγοντες, τί θέλει τοῦτο εἶναι;
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cwconrad
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Re: middle/passive forms of εἰμί

Post by cwconrad »

Jonathan Robie wrote:Do the middle/passive forms of εἰμί differ from the active forms in meaning?

If so, how? And where can I find a good description of the distinction?
I'm waiting for the answer with bated breath! I find it fascinating how this verb has shifted its shape over the centuries. In Homeric Greek only the future is middle; In the Hellenistic era imperfects in ἥμην are common, but so are imperfects in ἦν. I know of no argument for any difference of meaning. I've seen 3 sg. imperfects ἦτο, but also ἦν.
The modern verb is εἴμαι, but the conjugation is irregular. How to explain the gradual shift over to middle "subject-affected" forms? The only explanation that has ever occurred to me is Spinoza's suggestive characterization of the essence of existence as a conatus in suo esse perseverare -- "endeavor to persist in one's own being."
οὔτοι ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς πάντα θεοὶ θνητοῖς ὑπέδειξαν,
ἀλλὰ χρόνῳ ζητέοντες ἐφευρίσκουσιν ἄμεινον. (Xenophanes, Fragment 16)

Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics, Washington University (Retired)
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