Falling in love
“The goddess in her anger has smitten you, and you are in love. What wonder is this? There are many thousands suffering with you …
The tide of Cypris, at its full surge, is not withstandable. Upon the yielding spirit, she comes gently, but if she finds one arrogant and superior she seizes him and abuses him completely…
Come on, dear child…Give up your insolence. It’s only insolent pride to wish to be superior to the gods. Endure your love. A god has willed it so”
Hippolytus, Euripides
According to Euripides, the state of falling in love in the form of desire and connection is divine and therefore sacred. Both gods and mortals are called upon to manage this dangerous emotion with respect, acceptance, courage, and stamina.
Are you in love, so what…?
“He who has read the writings of the ancients and has spend much time with poetry, knows well that Zeus once loved the lovely Semele; … that Dawn … ravished Cephalus…Yet… they still dwell in heaven and do not flee in exile from the gods – they are content, I am sure, to be subdued by the strike of love. But you, you won’t submit?”
Aphrodite with her distinctive, wonderful, quirky personality, does not cease to be a powerful goddess, and symbolically seems to represent an inescapable human event that should be honored and experienced.
PS: Hippolytus is not a drama dedicated solely to love and desire. Euripides beautifully addresses issues related to arrogance, hubris (presumption towards the gods), and morality, as well as rigid conservatism regarding the erotic nature of women, and suggests through his work, moderation even in prudence.
Psychology in art
In order to make better use of this and other SHARE Lv articles and to learn more about how ART in all its forms can help us gain greater insight into our inner self, behaviors, and relationships, please follow the link below:
Georgiadi, E. (2018). Art exists because we are humans. Culture for personal growth and development
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Aphrodite of Capua. Naples, National Archeological Museum
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Elissavet Georgiadi (Mental Health Professional, PgDipMT, GSMD – City University)
Nice post!
I have read Hippolytus. Euripides was ahead from his contemporaries.
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