The two articles, Men and Gods in Euripides’ Hippolytus by C.A.E Luschnig and Human and Divine Action in Euripides’ Hippolytus by Jerker Blomqvist, both focus on the divine and mortal characters within the play Hippolytus. In this review I will summarise each article as I understand and assess each authors argument. In his article, Luschnig takes the view that the characters and motivation of said characters, both human and divine, are so parallel that they form one single frame of action within the dramatic structure. He separates his argument into 4 parts: Motivation and Action, Immutability, Isolation and Conclusions: Exodos. ‘Motivation and Action’ discusses the structure and relationship between gods and mortals. The author examines
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He focuses on Hippolytus saying that although he is the most godlike of the mortal characters he is the most incomplete character and the least able to deal with the situation. The author then centres on Artemis and the final scene. Artemis reveals that gods cannot interfere with another’s plans; therefore Hippolytus was wrong to think of himself as under her protection. Luschnig regarded Hippolytus as showing many divine aspects making him ignorant but in the conclusion he finally displays moral insights, understanding his fellow mortals dying no longer in ignorance.
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“Human and Divine Action in Euripides’ Hippolytus”, by J Blomqvist, is written with the idea that the gods are written into the paly to show the difference between the gods and mortals. The author divides her article into 11 parts, each discussing a different theme of the play to support her argument. The first 3 sections discuss Phaedra and the Potiphar motif and how her actions differ from this with particular focus on the reasons for her death and incrimination of Hippolytus.
The following sections (4-5) introduce the author’s opinion on the god’s in the play saying that they have a more active role in the play compared to traditional stories. He compares Aphrodite and Phaedra’s reactions as the rejected woman highlighting the …show more content…
This raises the question of whether an argument can be soundly made with parts of the evidence missing. Despite this, Blomqvist presents a strong argument on god vs. mortal reactions to similar stimulants. She highlights that the gods and mortals live by different moral codes, which explains why they react differently. This is illustrated by Aphrodite and Phaedra’s revenge on Hippolytus. Aphrodite’s revenge is governed by emotions (17-33) where as Phaedra’s is more logical (725-731) as her revenge also has a hint of self-preservation to stop the news of her sickness spreading and disgracing her family. This displays the importance the Greeks put on reputation but also the importance and power of the gods as they did not have to abide by the same rules as mortals. Despite the possibility of only being presented with a one-sided argument the opinion and view that Blomqvist gives seems to matches with what an Athenian audience would take from
He focuses on Hippolytus saying that although he is the most godlike of the mortal characters he is the most incomplete character and the least able to deal with the situation. The author then centres on Artemis and the final scene. Artemis reveals that gods cannot interfere with another’s plans; therefore Hippolytus was wrong to think of himself as under her protection. Luschnig regarded Hippolytus as showing many divine aspects making him ignorant but in the conclusion he finally displays moral insights, understanding his fellow mortals dying no longer in ignorance.
- 375
“Human and Divine Action in Euripides’ Hippolytus”, by J Blomqvist, is written with the idea that the gods are written into the paly to show the difference between the gods and mortals. The author divides her article into 11 parts, each discussing a different theme of the play to support her argument. The first 3 sections discuss Phaedra and the Potiphar motif and how her actions differ from this with particular focus on the reasons for her death and incrimination of Hippolytus.
The following sections (4-5) introduce the author’s opinion on the god’s in the play saying that they have a more active role in the play compared to traditional stories. He compares Aphrodite and Phaedra’s reactions as the rejected woman highlighting the …show more content…
This raises the question of whether an argument can be soundly made with parts of the evidence missing. Despite this, Blomqvist presents a strong argument on god vs. mortal reactions to similar stimulants. She highlights that the gods and mortals live by different moral codes, which explains why they react differently. This is illustrated by Aphrodite and Phaedra’s revenge on Hippolytus. Aphrodite’s revenge is governed by emotions (17-33) where as Phaedra’s is more logical (725-731) as her revenge also has a hint of self-preservation to stop the news of her sickness spreading and disgracing her family. This displays the importance the Greeks put on reputation but also the importance and power of the gods as they did not have to abide by the same rules as mortals. Despite the possibility of only being presented with a one-sided argument the opinion and view that Blomqvist gives seems to matches with what an Athenian audience would take from