Why does Hippolytus feel a strong dislike for womenfolk NU Lucius Annaeus Seneca BCE CE a Roman Stoic writer composed Phaedra around CE In this tragic play Hippolytus is shown as a man who strongly hates women His hatred is not personal only It comes from his moral beliefs his mother s story and his devotion to purity Devotion to Chastity Hippolytus loves hunting and worships Diana the virgin goddess He avoids love and city life He says There is no life so free and innocent His heart follows nature not women This deep purity makes him reject all female passion Influence of His Mother His mother Antiope was an Amazon warrior She lived a life away from marriage Hippolytus proudly says Thou bearest witness to this of her race the only son Her example teaches him to hate marriage and women s softness Belief That Women Are Evil Hippolytus