Ancient Greeks were expected to honor all the gods and goddesses, but Hippolytus became a priest of Artemis and worshipped her only. King Theseus had taken Phaedra, sister to the ill-fated Ariadne of Crete, as his second wife. (194). A messenger arrives with tragic news; Hippolytus is dead - well almost dead. The nurse and the chorus are shocked. According to Hadas, Hippolytus is a beautiful poem, both poignant and compassionate.

As Hippolytus exits, he utters a goodbye prayer to, ...say, will he enjoy hunting with his chariot, playing his lyre, or making wreaths for, ...the chorus sings a brief song to Aphrodite, recognizing her power over all things. Mystery Of Nazca’s Controversial Three-Fingered Mummies Continues – Attempt To Confiscate The Ancient Remains! Hippolytus is a tragedy written by Euripides (c. 484-407 BCE), one of the great Greek playwrights of the early 5th century BCE. Refusing to recall his curse, Theseus chooses to banish Hippolytus.

The second aspect is what the play refers to as sophrosyne, which is represented by Artemis and personified by Hippolytus. Then. Spurned, Phaedra deceived Theseus saying that his son had raped her. Hippolytus denies everything but Theseus refuses to listen and banishes him without a trial, for the letter is proof enough.

The messenger protests Hippolytus' innocence, but Theseus refuses to believe him. It is Aphrodite, the goddess of love and passion, that sets the scene in this case. Theseus calls upon Poseidon and thanks him. It was dangerous to ignore any of the pantheon, but also could be deadly to get too close to any of them. Therefore, they often competed by influencing or testing mortal men and women. By the dead’s testimony, he’s clearly proved the vilest, falsest wretch. She was angry at being snubbed by Hippolytus… Related Content


The chorus leader asks Phaedra what she plans to do; she replies that she must die. Artemis, however, is saddened by the loss of Hippolytus: "You and I are the chief sufferers Theseus." We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. She was my doctor, but her cure as made my illness fatal now. For example, even though she advises Hippolytus to forgive his father—and even though it seems that this is what Hippolytus has already done even before Artemis’ suggestion—Artemis herself is unable to forgive Aphrodite, just as the goddess of love had been unable to accept Hippolytus’ preference for another Olympian. When Hippolytus went to Athens two years previously Aphrodite inspired Phaedra, Hippolytus' stepmother, to fall in love with him.

Hippolytus.

King Theseus found this note and angrily confronted his son, calling him a hypocrite for professing chastity. Artemis had sworn she would always remain celibate, choosing denial of the flesh, so was in direct opposition to the lusty side of life that Aphrodite represented. Hippolytus is carried in physically battered and barely clinging to life. Artemis claims that Theseus’ ignorance absolves him of his role in Hippolytus’ death and that she and Theseus are the ones who have suffered the most from Aphrodite’s schemes. Convinced that the only cure for Phaedra’s sickness is “the man,” the nurse goes to Hippolytus, and after making him swear not to tell anyone anything, informs him of her mistress’ desires; it is implied that she even goes so far to suggest that Hippolytus should consider yielding to them. Nemesis: Winged Goddess Of Justice And Revenge, Achilles – Son Of King Peleus And Leader Of The Nereids, Mythical Danaides: Daughters Of Danaus Condemned In Hades To Eternal Punishment. He reacts with a furious tirade and threatens to tell his father, Theseus, everything as soon as he arrives. Theseus, the king of Athens, is serving a year's voluntary exile after having murdered a local king and his sons. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. She added that he felt the “pitifulness of human life” and no poet's work was “so sensitively attune as his to the still, sad music of humanity, a strain little heeded by that world of long ago” (205). One of two plays of the same title written by Euripides, the surviving Hippolytus was first produced in 428 BC and, unlike the lost one which seems to have been badly received, won the first prize at the City Dionysia of that year. Phaedra explains that she must starve herself and die with her honour intact. Aphrodite decided to punish Hippolytus for not honoring her by causing his stepmother to desire him. Hippolytus frees his father of any guilt before he breathes his last.

Distraught by the news, Phaedra takes her own life just before Theseus’ expected return—but not before scribbling a note accusing Hippolytus of attempting to seduce her. Hippolytus and his followers burst into a hymn praising Artemis (who, as is well known, along with being a chaste goddess, is also the goddess of the hunt).
The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. They tell him, but say nothing of the reason. Unmoved, the queen remains silent but cautions the nurse that she must never again speak Hippolytus’ name. Hippolytus then forgave his father for the curse and died with a clear conscience. Later, when Artemis reveals the truth, the remorseful Theseus is confronted with his dying son’s body. This, however, is not enough for Phaedra, who, after happening upon the nurse, condemns her for her betrayal and dismisses her from her duties. Phaedra’s body is afterward brought before the devastated Theseus. And this is often the case in Euripides, which is why Aristotle dubs him “the most tragic” among all poets.

Phaedra realizes disaster has fallen. Phaedra doesn’t even want to consider what the nurse’s words imply: “Do not, by the gods, do not, I beg of you, go any further!” “If that is what you wish,” the nurse replies, “I have love-medicine within the house—I just thought of it this very moment—that will free you from this malady without disgrace to you or harm to your mind, if only you do not flinch.”. She tells Theseus the truth and blames him for killing a pious man—even if in ignorance. This came to the attention of the goddess Aphrodite, ruler of desire and sexual love.

Clothing And Jewelry In Ancient Egypt – How Did The Ancient Egyptians Dress? They all have blindnesses that keep them from seeing and understanding others with empathy and these blindnesses result in tragedy. If, however, you prefer poetry, feel free to delve into Gilbert Murray’s rhyming verse adaptation here. According to Thomas Martin’s Ancient Greece, Greek plays often ended without any solution, leaving only suffering, turmoil, and death. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 04 Jul 2018.

She exits into the house. He is told of his wife’s death. Soon after, a group of servants brings Hippolytus’ body before Theseus, who breaks down in tears and cries for forgiveness. Intrigued by the gathered crowd and the loud cries, Hippolytus arrives on the place just in time to hear Theseus’ orders. Her suffering shall not weigh in the scale so much that I should let my enemies go untouched escaping payment of retribution sufficient to satisfy me. Other accounts say Poseidon sent a sea monster to terrorize Hippolytus. Knowing the ending of the play, it is difficult to have compassion for the queen. The eponymous Hippolytus certainly has noble traits that earn him the audience’s admiration and pity; however, he possesses his share of flaws as well. Last modified July 04, 2018. https://www.ancient.eu/Hippolytus/.

The chorus sings a lament for Hippolytus. See more about Artemis in this article: Goddess Artemis – One Of The Most Respected Olympians, Hippolytus, Phaedra and Theseus. And the maidens’ spontaneous songs Will dwell on you with endless care. (240). Phaedra, sickly, appears with her nurse. Shortly, a nurse and the queen Phaedra enter.

She recognizes that his step-mother, Phaedra, loves him and “groans bitterness of heart.” (192).


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