Phaedra

Drama | Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Why Does Hippolytus Feel a Strong Dislike for Women?

Premium

Why does Hippolytus feel a strong dislike for women Hippolytus the son of Theseus holds a deep hate for women in Phaedra AD by Seneca BC-AD He believes women bring corruption and chaos into life His strong dislike for women is shaped by his preference for a simple pure life his belief that women bring chaos and evil and his family history Preference for Simplicity and Nature Hippolytus finds peace and purity in nature He is far from the complications of human relationships especially with women He considers the wilderness a place of freedom and innocence where deceit and corruption are absent These are associated with civilisation To him women are a source of attraction and distractions that can ruin a pure life Hippolytus says There is no life so free and innocent none which better cherishes the ancient ways than that which forsaking cities loves the woods The line

emphasises the purity and simplicity of life in nature This kind of life values old timeless traditions and fosters freedom and innocence Belief in the Evil Nature of Women Hippolytus profoundly believes that women are the source of many evils He believes they bring about corruption sin and disaster This faith leads him to distance himself from Women completely This belief is reinforced by the myths of women like his own stepmother Phaedra Hippolytus says But the leader of all wickedness is woman tis she cunning mistress of crime besets our minds This line portrays women as dangerous and manipulative creations They have the power to corrupt and mislead men Family Influence and History Hippolytus s family history also plays a vital role in his hatred of women His mother Antiope was killed by his father Theseus and his stepmother Phaedra s sinful desire only reinforces his negative view of women Hippolytus says I count it the one solace for my lost mother that now I may hate all womankind In short Hippolytus dislikes women for his values beliefs and past experiences and he views women as sources of evil and destruction that inspire him to stay away from women

Continue Reading

Sign in and subscribe to unlock the full content