Euripides’ Hippolytus is the play has been generally acknowledged to be one of Euripides’ finest [works], both for his skilled reworking of a traditional myth, and for the richness and complexity of its thought and language” (Mills, Euripides 7).
The play offers space for various interpretations and especially the character Hippolytus is argued to appear as rather strange, and less clear than e.g. the character Phaedra (cf. Mills, Euripides 95).
This paper aims to examine Euripides’ play and find out in how far Hippolytus may function as a male Amazon in the play, and how he therewith provides a negative role model for Athenian
men.1 At first, Apollodorus’ and Euripides’ account of the Hippolytus/Theseus myth will be discussed and then the character Hippolytus will be compared to Amazons such as the Lemnian
women and the women of the Sauromatae. After that it will be shown how Hippolytus'inappropriate behavior does not only seal his own fate, but also affects the other characters’ lives
and leads to the disruption of their oikos. Finally, it will be revealed in how far the Hippolytus in Euripides play might have been a character that teaches Athenian men to stick to their society’s rules.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Hippolytus Myth – Apollodorus and Euripides
3. Hippolytus, the Son of the Amazon – Features Resembling Amazons
3.1 Lemnian Women and the Women of the Sauromatae
3.2 Hippolytus’ Refusal of Marriage and Citizenhood and Its Consequences: Disruption of the Oikos and Punishment through Aphrodite
4. The Meaning of The Myth – Men Must Marry
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores whether the character of Hippolytus in Euripides' tragedy functions as a "male Amazon," thereby serving as a negative role model for Athenian men who fail to adhere to social conventions. By analyzing the myth of Hippolytus and comparing his character traits to those of Amazonian figures, the work examines the consequences of his rejection of marriage and civic duty.
- The influence of Amazonian mythology on gender roles in classical Athens.
- Hippolytus’ refusal of marriage and the disruption of the oikos.
- Comparisons between Hippolytus, the Lemnian women, and the women of the Sauromatae.
- The role of the divine, particularly Aphrodite, in enforcing societal norms.
- The function of tragedy as an educational tool for male citizens in ancient Greece.
Excerpt from the book
3.1 Lemnian Women and the Women of the Sauromatae
Hippolytus has several character traits and ways of behavior that make it plausible to associate him with Amazons, even though he is a man. In the opening speech of Aphrodite in Euripides’ play, Hippolytus’ is introduced as “Prince of Theseus’ seed,/ […] child of that dead Amazon,/” (Euripides ll. 1-21, 13), and is therewith directly linked to his mother (and father). Noticeably, his mother is disparagingly called “that dead Amazon” and contrasted with “saintly Pittheus [who raised Hippolytus] in his own/ Strait ways” (ibid.). So, the fact alone that his mother was an Amazon seems to make it necessary to counterbalance this bad influence in Hippolytus’ education by a virtuous man. As Blundell mentions, the function of Amazons was to provide a negative role model for women and also for the men who should treat their wives in the Athenian way, as otherwise problem may resolve when women are given more independence (cf. Blundell, 46). So, a good role model is needed to raise and educate Hippolytus.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the objective of examining Hippolytus as a male Amazon and his potential role as a negative example of Athenian masculinity.
2. The Hippolytus Myth – Apollodorus and Euripides: Provides a historical and dramatic context for the myth, highlighting how Euripides adapted traditional narratives for his 428 BC play.
3. Hippolytus, the Son of the Amazon – Features Resembling Amazons: Analyzes the connections between Hippolytus and Amazonian traits, specifically his rejection of heterosexual norms.
3.1 Lemnian Women and the Women of the Sauromatae: Draws parallels between the antisocial, non-marriage behavior of the mythic Amazons and Hippolytus’ own rejection of domesticity.
3.2 Hippolytus’ Refusal of Marriage and Citizenhood and Its Consequences: Disruption of the Oikos and Punishment through Aphrodite: Discusses how Hippolytus’ rejection of the Athenian social order brings chaos to the oikos, forcing other characters to abandon their reason.
4. The Meaning of The Myth – Men Must Marry: Explores the societal necessity of marriage for Athenian men and how the play functions as a cautionary tale.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the paper’s findings, emphasizing that the disruption of the oikos by individuals like Hippolytus negatively impacts the entire polis.
Keywords
Euripides, Hippolytus, Greek Mythology, Amazons, Gender Roles, Athenian Society, Marriage, Oikos, Aphrodite, Tragedy, Civic Duty, Masculinity, Role Model, Social Order, Ancient Greece
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines the character of Hippolytus from Euripides’ tragedy, specifically exploring whether he can be interpreted as a "male Amazon" and how his rejection of Athenian societal norms functions as a negative role model.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The work centers on gender dynamics, the importance of marriage in Athenian society, the function of the oikos (household), and how mythical archetypes like the Amazons were used to reinforce social order.
What is the main research question of this study?
The study asks to what extent Hippolytus functions as a male Amazon and how his non-conformity provides a cautionary lesson for Athenian men regarding their duties to the state and the household.
Which scientific methodology is used?
The author employs a literary and historical analysis, comparing the primary text (Euripides’ play) with mythological sources (Apollodorus, Herodotus) and secondary research regarding Athenian social and gender history.
What does the main body of the text cover?
It covers the mythological roots of the play, a detailed character analysis linking Hippolytus to Amazonian behavior, the consequences of his defiance on his family’s oikos, and the broader interpretation of the myth as a reinforcement of the necessity for men to marry and serve the polis.
Which keywords characterize this publication?
The paper is characterized by terms such as Euripides, Hippolytus, Amazons, Gender Roles, Athenian Society, and Oikos.
How does Hippolytus’ mother influence his characterization in the play?
As the son of an Amazon, Hippolytus is linked to traits that are inherently "anti-Athenian" in the context of the play. His mother’s identity serves as a narrative justification for his own antisocial behaviors and his refusal to marry.
Why does the author argue that Hippolytus brings chaos to the oikos?
Hippolytus refuses to fulfill his duties as a son and future citizen, which forces other characters, particularly Theseus and Phaedra, into irrational and destructive behaviors, ultimately destabilizing the entire household structure.
Does the author believe Euripides intended for the audience to sympathize with Hippolytus?
The author suggests that while the audience might have been intrigued by Hippolytus’ unconventional life, the play ultimately functions as a "public safety valve," teaching that such radical non-conformity leads only to destruction and death.
- Quote paper
- Christina Gieseler (Author), 2007, Euripides’ Hippolytus - Hippolytus as a Male Amazon?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/148696
