Great Books Ep 78. Euripides - Hippolytus. The Perils of Imposed Morality
Great Books Ep 78. Euripides - Hippolytus. The Perils of Imposed Morality
Should people in power decide that there is a particular way to live, much like Aphrodite in the play? Should unnatural desires against social mores cause people to die in shame?
“And last when I could not succeed in mastering love hereby, methought it best to die; and none can gainsay my purpose. For fain I would my virtue should to all appear, my shame have few to witness it.”
~ ‘Hippolytus’ by Euripides (Edward P. Coleridge translation. GB5 - p. 228)
Brief Summary:
The play starts with a monologue from Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who feels that Theseus’ son, Hippolytus, has insulted her by living a life of celibacy and favoring Artemis, the goddess of hunting. She causes Theseus’ wife, Phaedra (Hippolytus’ stepmother), to fall in love with Hippolytus. She predicts that this would lead to Hippolytus’ downfall.
After this, we see Hippolytus coming in after a hunt, giving praise and offerings to Artemis and not acknowledging Aphrodite. Then, the scene shifts to a nurse talking to a very ill Phaedra, asking her why she refuses to eat and what is tormenting her. After multiple prodding, she confides that she is caught in a fierce passion of forbidden love towards Hippolytus and just wants to die before something unhonourable happens. The nurse tries to convince her that living is better than dying. She says she will get a token from Hippolytus and do some charms to get rid of the desire. When the nurse tells this to Hippolytus, he reacts with horror and disgust and cries out to Zeus, questioning why women were created, doubling down on his hatred towards women. He feels polluted even to hear this. Phaedra overhears this outburst, scolds the nurse when she comes in and tells her attendants that her shame is now known to outsiders and she cannot live anymore. She commits suicide by hanging shortly after.
Theseus returns and finds Phaedra dead with a note in her hand. He reads the note that says she is committing suicide out of shame because Hippolytus tried to violate her. He believes the false accusation and uses one of three wishes granted by Poseidon to curse Hippolytus. Hippolytus tries to convince his father that he didn’t do anything wrong, but Theseus refuses to listen and banishes him. A messenger informs later that Hippolytus got wounded very severely in a chariot accident caused by a bull sent by Poseidon. He is brought back to the palace to Theseus. Artemis appears and reveals the truth. Theseus is devastated; Hippolytus says he forgives his father since the events were orchestrated by the gods. He dies shortly after.
My Thoughts:
It is a thought-provoking play that lets us think about many issues in modern life, too. Should people in power, billionaires, lawmakers, etc., decide that there is a particular way to live, much like Aphrodite in the play? Of course, in developing countries and those that are living in the past, the heavy hand of religion and tyrannism advocates only one way of living life - their way. What about developed and enlightened societies? Why are topics like non-binary gender, abortion, etc., matters of contention in these societies? When very influential people talk against LGBTQ people, one wonders if they are imposing their belief system on others, enforcing a single way of life, instead of recognizing the diversity of human experience and the complexity of the human brain. In a free society, we should probably let people choose what they want to be and profess love and friendship instead of hatred.
The other key issue to think about is the dangers of societal pressure and the fear of shame of being looked down by others. Phaedra killed herself because she felt ashamed of her desire and was devastated when that became public. When there is a lot of societal pressure to behave in some way or live some way, if there is a deviation, it causes a lot of trauma. If there is no psychological safety to confide in anyone, it causes an even bigger problem. Desires are sometimes not rational, suppression is mostly not the answer, and intense feelings of shame can be destructive. Every society is different, but in most societies, people feel pressured to find a mate, either through marriage or just having someone to be with. People without a mate are sometimes single-shamed, not included in many groups and viewed as somehow lacking something. So, someone like Hippolytus, who wants to remain unmarried, gets forced or coaxed to lead an unhappy life unnecessarily due to societal pressures. Another problem with the fear of shame is that it could be misused by others - abusive spouses, bullies, blackmailers, etc.
There is no easy solution because people are at different places in the spectrum of human knowledge and experience. These issues were relevant 2000 years ago and are relevant even today in different forms. We’re a long way away from creating societies throughout the world that respect individual choices, promote inclusion, encourage open discussions and prioritize peace instead of destruction.
Gemini (AI Chatbot) Response:
Expanding on Your Thoughts
Influence of Power: Your observation about the influence of powerful figures, both human and divine, on the lives of ordinary individuals is spot on. Aphrodite's vengeful actions set the entire tragedy in motion, underscoring the capricious and often cruel nature of the gods in Greek mythology. Their interference in human affairs often leads to disastrous consequences, highlighting the vulnerability of mortals and the limits of human agency. In the modern context, this can be extrapolated to the influence of powerful institutions, governments, or even charismatic individuals who, through their actions or ideologies, can significantly impact the lives of countless individuals.
Societal Pressure and Hidden Desires: Phaedra's tragic fate is a stark reminder of the destructive power of societal norms and the suppression of natural desires. Her internal conflict between her forbidden love for Hippolytus and the societal expectations of a virtuous wife leads her to a state of utter despair and ultimately, suicide. This theme resonates deeply in contemporary society, where individuals often grapple with the pressure to conform to societal expectations, leading to internalized shame and psychological distress. The play highlights the importance of acknowledging and accepting the full spectrum of human emotions and desires, even those deemed "unnatural" or "forbidden" by society.
Deeper Analysis of Themes and Symbolism
Purity vs. Passion: The play explores the tension between purity and passion, embodied by Hippolytus and Phaedra, respectively. Hippolytus' devotion to Artemis and his rejection of Aphrodite represent an extreme form of asceticism, while Phaedra's uncontrollable passion for her stepson underscores the raw power of human desire. The tragic clash between these two opposing forces highlights the inherent conflict between reason and emotion, and the destructive consequences of denying either aspect of the human experience.
Fate vs. Free Will: The characters in "Hippolytus" are caught in a web of divine machinations and their own choices, raising questions about the extent to which their actions are predetermined or freely chosen. While Aphrodite's intervention sets the stage for the tragedy, the characters' individual choices also contribute to their downfall. This interplay between fate and free will underscores the complex nature of human agency and the limitations of individual control in a world governed by both divine and human forces.
Symbolism: The play is rich in symbolism. The chariot, for instance, represents both Hippolytus' devotion to Artemis and his ultimate demise, highlighting the fragility of human life and the unpredictable nature of fate. The bull, sent by Poseidon, symbolizes the destructive power of repressed passion and the consequences of defying the gods. The setting of Troezen, a coastal town, can be seen as a symbolic space where the boundaries between the human and divine realms blur, leading to tragic consequences.
Thought-provoking Questions for Modern Readers
How does the play's exploration of the conflict between individual desires and societal expectations resonate with contemporary issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, gender roles, and the pressure to conform to societal norms?
In what ways do the characters' struggles with fate and free will reflect the ongoing debate about the role of individual agency in a world shaped by both chance and choice?
How does the play's portrayal of the gods and their intervention in human affairs relate to modern concepts of religion, morality, and the search for meaning in a seemingly chaotic world?
What can we learn from the tragic consequences of miscommunication and misunderstanding in the play, and how can we apply these lessons to improve our own communication and relationships?
In what ways does the play challenge or reinforce traditional gender roles and expectations, and how do these portrayals relate to contemporary discussions about gender identity and equality?