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Aphrodite In Sophocles Research Paper

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The role and function of Zeus and Aphrodite in Sophocles’ Women of Trachis
Introduction
Sophocles’ play Women of Trachis does not directly involve the characters of Aphrodite and Zeus, but instead shows their influence over mortal decisions and lives through the stories of Heracles and Deianira. The main characters contrast with one another in various ways, but are both linked together by their inability to overcome the power of the gods’ influences over their lives, and ultimately demonstrate the strength of the gods’ will. Aphrodite plays the role of an umpire that resides over the decisions being made by each character, which in turn results in their destructive behaviour. The goddess’s function within the play is the driving force behind …show more content…

Throughout the play, Zeus is referred to as Heracles’ father, though there is no physical form of Zeus in the play. He is portrayed more in a fatherly fashion in the beginning of the play when Deianira is telling of the battle between Heracles and the river god. She says “at last, to my huge relief and joy, he arrived – Heracles, Zeus’ and Alcmena’s son.” which shows Heracles as a hero, and Zeus as the father of such a hero. She goes on to proclaim “but Zeus, the god of battles, brought about a happy ending” . This portrayal of Zeus can be contrasted with the portrayal of him towards the end of the play, where he is illustrated as a cold hearted, absent father. Heracles is heard crying for the help of his father, Zeus, and saying “what worker of spells or of healing skills will calm this torturing plague but Zeus?” . Zeus is being called on as a father to help his son, but there is no intervention made by Zeus. The characterization of Zeus as the cold, all powerful god is seen throughout the play. There are instances where characters hint towards the absence of Zeus and his apparent carelessness for the death of his own son. For example, in Hyllus’ closing speech, he mentions that “the callous gods feel nothing in these sorry events. They beget their sons and are called our fathers” which is a comment on Zeus himself being a cold god, but also an absent father. Heracles is seen seeking his father’s help throughout the play, also, but we see no intervention from Zeus: “Lightning of Zeus, now strike! ... launch it powerfully down on my head.” . Heracles is in pain, and sees no help his father, the hard-hearted

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