[B-Greek] Semantic Features and Rhetorical Use of the Greek Perfect

Elizabeth Kline kline_dekooning at earthlink.net
Tue Mar 9 02:39:16 EST 2010


On Mar 8, 2010, at 5:25 PM, Calvin & Ruth Mathys wrote:

> A perfect
> describes a verb-situation that happened in the past and also has present
> relevance.  It *doesn't* say that the verb-situation itself persists to the
> present moment, let alone beyond it.  What it says is that the past
> situation has some *significance* now.  (It also doesn't specify how far
> back in the past the verb-situation took place, c.f. "it is written".)

I have just looked into Homeric references on the perfect. Monro seems to agree with H.W. Smyth. 

H.B. Monro Grammar of the Homeic Dialect 2nd ed.  1891.  page 31 #28

"Meaning of the Perfect. The Perfect denotes a lasting condition or attitude (ἕξις). If we compare the meaning of any Perfect with that of the corresponding Aorist or Present, we shall usually find that the Perfect denotes a permanent state, the Aor. or Pres. an action which brings about or constitutes that state."

A.R. Benner Selections from the Iliad, page 391 #187

"The prefect denotes a present condition and is to be rendered by the English present." 

The rest of Benner's paragraph is nuanced with examples but difficult to transcribe. You might be able to find it by searching on the text I have provided. 

These citations are just food for thought.  

Elizabeth Kline
 






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