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Optative in main clause without ἄν: plausible wish
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κακῶς δ' ὄλοιντο πάντες οἳ τυραννίδι χαίρουσιν
‘May all those who support tyranny perish in an awful way!’ (Eur. 275)
The optative, often preceded by εἴθε or εἰ γάρ (poetic εἰ, αἰ or ὡς), signals a plausible wish.
Translation tips
The traditional translation of the plausible wish involves may... as an auxiliary (e.g. εἰ γὰρ ὄλοιτο ‘May he die.’). Sometimes it is better to translate it with the adverb hopefully (e.g. εἰ γὰρ ὄλοιτο ‘Hopefully he will die.’).
Historical background
The optative, introduced by εἴθε or εἰ (γάρ), is sometimes analysed as a conditional clause without a main clause: εἴθε φίλος ἡμῖν γένοιο... 'if you were to become our friend...' (Xen. HG 4.1.38).
Example Sentences: