Aspects of love in Seneca's Phaedra

Chapter One focuses on Phaedra's erotic behaviour in relation to Hippolytus. Phaedra utilises erotic behaviours common to the elegiac male, such as the seruitium amoris, and the use of pseudo-military terminology, in the pursuit of the beloved. Phaedra structures her pursuit of Hippolytus on the elegiac model and characterises his behaviour as relating to the elegiac mistress. Chapter Two examines the role of heredity in Phaedra's passion, with particular emphasis placed on gendered forms of love. Phaedra's behaviour is modelled on her male ancestors, Jupiter and Apollo, rather than on the actions of her mother. The consequences of gender dislocation in the arena of love are explored through a comparison between Phaedra and Hercules. Chapter Three explores Hippolytus' position as an acolyte of Diana, and how it may explain his response to Phaedra's declaration of love. Comparisons are made with myths from the Metamorphoses to highlight similarities between Hippolytus and other acolytes of Diana, and also to evaluate Hippolytus' response in a gender context. Chapter Four concentrates on the role of heredity in explaining Hippolytus' anomalous behaviour, and also the responses of others toward him. Links are made between Hippolytus and the bull from the sea to emphasise the ambiguous nature of Hippolyltus