English Literature: Why Does Phaedra Say ‘Unreason Drives Me Into Evil’?

Friday, 29 September 2017

Why Does Phaedra Say ‘Unreason Drives Me Into Evil’?

Reason Phaedra Say ‘Unreason Drives Me Into Evil’

Phaedra explains to the Nurse that she has been able to dig into the root of her trouble. She thinks that it is all due to the long absence of her husband. Theseus has gone down to the underworld for a wrong purpose. He has gone to help his friend Peirithous to abduct Persephone. She believes that her husband has gone there with an evil purpose, to seek lust and unlawful marriage. This is how he has broken his marriage vow.

The also complains that she is now a victim of sleeplessness. She does not have any respite even during day time. Her pain burns her like the burning heart of Mt. Etna. Moreover instead of offering pure prayers to gods, she finds pleasures in hunting, a masculine sport. Her passion for woods and fields reminds her of her mother’s similar passion which invited great shame in her life.

Phaedra firmly believes that her unlawful passion is rooted to Venus who hates all the children of the Sun and takes revenge for what was done to her. Now Venus is determined to shower loads of shame on all tribes of Phoebus.

The Nurse persuades her to be reasonable and cultivate the sense of shame. She warns her not to invite fresh shame upon her house, with sin worse than her mother’s.

Phaedra ultimately fails to respond to wise counsels of the Nurse she is determined to be led by unreason. She admits unreason drives her into evil.

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