Derek Mahon: Tractatus

Allusion to Classical figure The Winged Victory of Samothrace (i.e. the Hellenistic statue of the goddess Nike, now housed in the Louvre), Tacitus

Relationship to Classical text  Mahon refers to Tacitus’ belief that sailors were able to hear the setting of the sun into the Atlantic. Germania XLV does refer to a commonly held belief that the sun could be heard either emerging from (or possibly ‘setting into’- the text is not clear) the sea.

Classical/post-Classical intertexts The title and opening quotation are taken from the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus of the Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. (Originally published as Logisch-Philosophische Abhandlung, in Annalen der Naturphilosophische 14, 1921.)

Further comment Mahon attributes equal validity to Tacitus’ fanciful anecdote as to any ‘factual’ information he may impart.