ESSAY 3

Due Date: Friday, October 17, 2014 in class

Points Possible: 20 points
Length: 3-5 pages
For this essay we will look at the story of Euripides Hippolytus. In this essay we will compare and
contrast the temperance (moderation / self-restraint) of Hippolytus and his step-mother Phaedra.
The Greek word sophronein is translated as to be temperate, meaning to show good sense or to
exercise self-control in all things. Please look at Morford and Lenardons rendition of the play (read
on pages 237- 248). You may also look at an online version of the entire play (website below).
Through what you have read, please compare and contrast the temperance or self-control of
Hippolytus and Phaedra. You should also consider the following questions in your essay: which god
does Hippolytus / Phaedra worship or reject? Does this relate in any way to his temperance? What is
the curse put on Phaedra? How does she act in accordance with her curse? What is Hippolytus
feeling on women (lines 601-668)? Does this reflect his original temperance or are you surprised by
what he has to say about women? Does the self-control of Hippolytus and/or Phaedra lead to his/her
downfall? Remember to use plentiful examples and to explain your reasoning.
For the alternate writing prompt I would like you to write along the same lines of the first, focusing
on Euripides' Hippolytus, but instead of focusing on temperance or self-restraint, you should compare
and contrast the characters of Hippolytus and Phaedra and from this comparison and contrast discuss
what their characters say about Greek society and the roles of men and women in it. It will be helpful
to consider the same questions as in the first prompt, but your thesis should focus on the role of men
and women in society and how Hippolytus and Phaedra represent those ideas (instead of their
temperance). What gods do they worship or reject? Does this surprise you in any way? Does this
reflect the role of men or women in any way? What is the curse put on Phaedra? Why is she cursed?
How does she act in accordance to this curse? What is Hippolytus' feeling on women (lines 601-668)?
Does his feeling on women reflect the average Greek male's feeling on women? What do the
characters represent and what can we learn from this about Greek society? Are you surprised by the
characters of Phaedra and/or Hippolytus? Do they represent the original ideas you had about men
and women in Greek society? Remember to focus on both characters, not just one. Remember to use
plentiful examples and to explain your reasoning.
Important resources:
Morford and Lenardon chapter 10 and corresponding lecture
http://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Greek/Hippolytus.htm (online version of
Euripides Hippolytus)