‘Stand out of my Sunshine!’

Alexander the Great dropped a hint to his sycophantic entourage.

336 BC

Macedonian Empire 359 - 323 BC

Introduction

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.

by Plutarch ?46-120

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.’

by Plutarch ?46-120

Translated from the Greek

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

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.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

Why were Greek statesmen and politicians queuing up to congratulate Alexander?

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

The Greeks elected Alexander as general. Many people congratulated him. He wanted the approval of Diogenes.