| 9b | The diminutive form θηρίον therion (derived from θήρ ther) distinguishes it from the meaning of a monstrous, predatory, fabled "beast." In Ancient Greek, diminutive forms often express smallness as well as familiarity, affection, contempt, or simply a shift in tone.
θηρίον (diminutive of θήρ):
- Diminutive Form: θήρ ther refers to large and fierce beasts of prey (such as lions or wild boars), but θηρίον therion softens this by implying a smaller or less fearsome animal. However, the diminutive form doesn't strictly mean the creature is small in size. It also carries a connotation of tameness, triviality, or even contempt.
- Metaphorical Use: The diminutive form is often used pejoratively to describe something that is less noble, more manageable, or even contemptible.
- For example, in Plato’s Philebus (Phdr. 240b), calling someone a "δεινῷ θηρίῳ" ("terrible beast") emphasizes their animalistic or base qualities, but with the diminutive form, it diminishes their importance, suggesting a petty or detestable nature rather than an awe-inspiring one.
- Hostile Creatures: Despite being a diminutive, θηρίον is often applied to dangerous or hostile creatures in various texts, including animals that pose threats to humans (e.g., carnivores, sharks, or poisonous animals, or insects). The shift in meaning here is less about physical size and more about how the creature is perceived in relation to humans—often hostile or repugnant, but not necessarily large or majestic.
Comparison with θήρ:
- θήρ retains the image of a large, powerful, and dangerous wild animal—often noble in its savagery. It's typically reserved for majestic or formidable beasts like lions, wild boars, and mythical creatures such as centaurs and Cerberus. It represents the untamable force of nature.
- θηρίον, on the other hand, diminishes the grandeur associated with θήρ. While it can still denote dangerous creatures, the term often evokes smaller, less majestic animals, or it can be used with a tone of contempt or hostility when referring to a person or situation. It could refer to anything from spiders' prey to vermin, or be used in satire and scornful references to human beings or trivial matters.
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