Theseus of Trozen: Euripides’ Hippolytus and its Predecessors

Abstract Euripides’ Hippolytus of 428 BC is the earliest extant play in which Theseus appears, and its Theseus is strikingly different from the hero of the plays considered in previous chapters: the only other tragedy which treated him similarly was Euripides’ other version of the Hippolytus story. The presentation of Theseus in the Hippolytus is unique in that he is no longer the wise democrat, receiver of suppliants and champion of the oppressed, but a foolish and violent father who will not listen to pleas for clemency or even for a less hasty judgement; a father whose curses condemn his son to an agonizing and undeserved death. Although consistent characterization from play to play was no concern of the Greek tragedians, the unusually unflattering portrayal of a hero who normally personifies an idealized image of Athens for Athenians invites comment, especially as this play won Euripides one of his very few first prizes, and the favourable critical reaction to the play of 428 contrasts with the disgust felt by the audience at Euripides’ earlier version of the Hippolytus story.1 If, as I have argued through earlier chapters, it is true that the Theseus of tragedies other than the Hippolytus is so closely associated with Athens that he reaffirms the beliefs and national identity of the audience by what he says and does, then the high esteem of the Athenian judges for a play in which their ancestor and role model killed his blameless son demands exploration.