PHIL 1120 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Homeric Hymns, Menestheus, Synoecism
Document Summary
The human sex drive often compels us into idiotic behavior even aphrodite suffers from it in homeric hymn 5. So this is no wonder that figures arise, like. Hippolytus, who wish to renounce sexuality altogether and thus escape its grip. Several goddesses, including artemis, athena and hestia, pursue this path successfully, but. Hippolytus" desire as a male mortal to remain celibate is unparalleled in the greek world, except perhaps for the widowed orpheus (who ends up being torn apart by maenads for his trouble. Like dionysus and the madness brought about by his wine, the sex drive or eros appears to be something that greek men are supposed to accept, in moderation. In ritual, this acceptance is reflected in the observance of aphrodite. Hippolytus" desire not only to remain celibate but also stand to aloof from this observance to devote himself entirely to the virgin goddess artemis creates a conflict.
