οὐ γὰρ ἐμὸν ἐρῶ τὸν λόγον ὃν ἂν λέγω--
The context suggests that it is what Smyth calls anticipatory (futural) subjunctive, except that he is calls it "Homeric" (section 1810) and is rather vague about its use in Attic.
Thanks in advance for any clarifications.
the force of ἄν in Plato's Apology 20 e5
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Re: the force of ἄν in Plato's Apology 20 e5
It's just that the αν makes it “indefinite.” Not simply “the tale that I tell" but “the tale that I tell (whatever it may be).” He knows what it is but his audience do not. He’s implying it may sound arrogant when he tells it.
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Re: the force of ἄν in Plato's Apology 20 e5
Thanks! I have to admit, though, that in this context such a proviso sounds a bit strange to me...
καί μοι, ὦ ἄνδρες Ἀθηναῖοι, μὴ θορυβήσητε, μηδ’ ἐὰν δόξω τι ὑμῖν μέγα λέγειν· οὐ γὰρ ἐμὸν ἐρῶ τὸν λόγον ὃν ἂν λέγω, ἀλλ’ εἰς ἀξιόχρεων ὑμῖν τὸν λέγοντα ἀνοίσω.
καί μοι, ὦ ἄνδρες Ἀθηναῖοι, μὴ θορυβήσητε, μηδ’ ἐὰν δόξω τι ὑμῖν μέγα λέγειν· οὐ γὰρ ἐμὸν ἐρῶ τὸν λόγον ὃν ἂν λέγω, ἀλλ’ εἰς ἀξιόχρεων ὑμῖν τὸν λέγοντα ἀνοίσω.