Copy Book Archive

‘Stand out of my Sunshine!’ Alexander the Great dropped a hint to his sycophantic entourage.
336 BC
Macedonian Empire 359 - 323 BC
Music: George Frideric Handel

Via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain. Source

About this picture …

Edwin Landseer (1802-1874) was reminded of the story of Diogenes and Alexander by two dogs he saw in the street, and was inspired to paint this evocative scene.

‘Stand out of my Sunshine!’
In 336 BC, the young Alexander, son of Philip II of Macedon, was just beginning his astonishing rise to be King of all Greece and Asia. Like all great men, he was surrounded by tittering hangers-on; one wonders if they quite got the hint he gave them here.
Translated from the Greek

THE Greeks assembled at the Isthmus of Corinth, and voted to march against Persia with Alexander as their general. Dozens of statesmen and philosophers came to him to offer their congratulations, and Alexander hoped that Diogenes of Sinope, who was on holiday in Corinth, would do the same.

But Diogenes set little store by Alexander, and continued his break in Craneion. So Alexander went there in person, only to find him sunbathing.

Aware now that he was surrounded by spectators, Diogenes hoisted himself up a little, and turned his gaze on Alexander, who greeted him and then asked if there was anything he could do for him. ‘You can step to the side,’ suggested Diogenes, ‘out of my sunshine.’

They say that Alexander was so confounded by this reply, and so amazed at the man’s contemptuous disdain and lofty tone, that he said to his entourage (who were sneering and laughing as they moved away), ‘I’ll tell you this much, if I weren’t Alexander, I’d be Diogenes.’

Précis

After Alexander was chosen to lead the Greeks against Persia, he eagerly sought the approbation of Diogenes, who was holidaying nearby. But a sunbathing Diogenes only complained that it was cold in Alexander’s shadow. Alexander’s sycophantic entourage dismissed Diogenes as an old fool, but Alexander hinted that they would be better following the courageous philosopher’s example. (56 / 60 words)

Source

Translated from ‘Βίοι Παράλληλοι: Αλέξανδρος’ (Parallel Lives: Alexander). There is another English translation at ‘The Parallel Lives by Plutarch’.

Suggested Music

Chaconne in G major HWV 435

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

Played by Ragna Schirmer.

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How To Use This Passage

You can use this passage to help improve your command of English.

IRead it aloud, twice or more. IISummarise it in one sentence of up to 30 words. IIISummarise it in one paragraph of 40-80 words. IVMake notes on the passage, and reconstruct the original from them later on. VJot down any unfamiliar words, and make your own sentences with them later. VIMake a note of any words that surprise or impress you, and ask yourself what meaning they add to the words you would have expected to see. VIITurn any old-fashioned English into modern English. VIIITurn prose into verse, and verse into prose. IXAsk yourself what the author is trying to get you to feel or think. XHow would an artist or a photographer capture the scene? XIHow would a movie director shoot it, or a composer write incidental music for it?

For these and more ideas, see How to Use The Copy Book.

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