e Strife For a Straight Life: The Examination of Mortal and Divine Relations :: Classics

The Strife For a Straight Life The Examination of Mortal and Divine RelationsA straight and perfect life is not for man. - the Nurse in HippolytusThe idea that fate is rooted from the interconnection of divine beingswhose will is played-out by mortals, is a highly enriched belief thatis capitalized on by some(prenominal) Greek tragedians. Among those who suggestthat there is an endless cycle of good will, revenge, uncertainty, andpunishment is the Greek dramatist, Euripides. His work, Hippolytus, isan excellent example of a well-written Greek tragedy that informsreaders of the intermingling of divine agent and a mortals free will.Hippolytus, however, would not be able to serve this primary functionwithout the elements which compose Greek tragedy in its entirety.Therefore, a detailed investigation into the characters of Hippolytus,and their divine counterparts, is necessary to better understand howEuripides evokes the need for divine intervention and also, why thedivine is inspire d to transpire revenge.Aphrodite, the goddess of love and sensuality, who delivers a longsoliloquy about the forthcoming events, sets the play. This is quitcommon in Greek tragedy. This technique builds suspense because theaudience wants to see if the plot she reveals is actually going tohappen. The plot she presents is that of her have she seeks revenge ofthe mortal prince Hippolytus. It is apparent that she has beeninsulted by him and does not go out of the her way to say For thisprince of Theseus seed Hippolytus, child of that dead Amazon, Andreared by Saintly Pitheus in his own Straight ways, hath dared, aloneof Trozen, to hold me least of spirits and most mean, And spurns myspell and sees no womans kiss. (Euripides, 3) Hence, Aphroditebuilds her case of revenge on this petty act of criminality andstates, That vengeance that shall make all well with me. (Euripides, 5) In other words, she will feel better once Hippolytus transgression has been justified by her. Furthermore, sh e reveals her character as sort of selfish when she contends, For there is, even in a great Gods mind, that hungered for the praise of human kind. (Euripides, 2) Here,Aphrodite expresses the need to be praised and worshiped. Therefore,it is safe to conclude that she feels neglected, and even envious ofArtemis. This jealousy builds rage in Aphrodite and justifies her needto seek revenge on not only Hippolytus, but also Phaedra and Theseus.Hippolytus, on the other hand, is a man of virtue and chastity. Hepractices resistance to the temptation life has to offer.