Icke-absolut ablativus absolutus: Om en avvikande användning av ablativus absolutus hos Caesar

Abstract

The ablative absolutes are not always as absolute as their name suggests. When a coreference exists between the ablative absolute and another noun phrase in the clause, it is non-absolute. This student thesis analyzes the non-absolute ablative absolutes in Caesar’s Bellum Gallicum and Bellum civile. The student thesis’ first main issue is how Caesar has utilized the characteristics and possibilities of the ablative absolute when using these irregular ones. The second one is how this use affects the emphasis and meaning of the sentence. The grammatical theory applied is Construction Grammar. According to the principles of Construction Grammar, the ablative absolute has an inherent semantical value. From a Construction Grammar point of view, this seems to be what Caesar wants to take advantage of when choosing a non-absolute ablative absolute, even though it might be seen as irregular. The ablative absolute has an intermediate syntactical function, between the participium coniunctum and the subordinate clause. Compared with the former, it is more independent and emphasized, but compared with the latter, it is closer attached to the verbal predicate and the rest of the clause. The non-absolute ablative absolute affects the relation between the actions and facts expressed by the verbal predicate and the predicate of the ablative absolute. It gives them a strong temporal and factual connection, but it also creates an order of relevance and a clear distinction between them. Often, the violation of the rule even has a key function, as it makes the referent appear from different perspectives. Also, the referent is given a more central role, by being mentioned two times in the same clause.