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[joyshine]

I am reading Ariadne's letter to Theseus, from Ovid's Heroides right now for my directed reading. It says nothing about her finding Dionysus when she's abandoned on the island...it only speaks of her anger and rage and loneliness. She "wanders like a Bacchant", but finds no consolation. It is the voice of the woman scorned and betrayed, yes, the

Comments

[kadollan]

Mmm... between harmonylsc and black_magdalene I associate this song with Ariadne as well.

Seems like leaving Dionysos out of her story narrows the tale rather dramatically.

One thing that Ovid does do well though, is touch on the rage, anger and despair that seems to so very often accompany the women of classical mythology. Other tellings of these stories either dismiss, downplay or ignore that anger -- even when it is central to the plot (take Clytemnestra's murder of Agamemnon, f'rinstance. She herself claims that the sacrifice of Iphigenia was central in her decision to slay her husband, but every time anyone else mentions it, they bring up her boy-toy Agisthus.)

In other news, have you read Medea's letter to Jason? It's rather lovely.

My dowry--and if I said to you "Return it!," you would refuse

[joyshine]

Yes, it does narrow it quite severely. I do appreciate the fact that, as much as they may be drawn as love-struck victims, Ovid has at the very least given them a voice, an outlet for their outrage and grief. And that is valuable.
*grins* I was just writing to my professor that I'd like to read a letter in which a woman gets snippy with her lover...and Medea sounds good. "I also regret having concern for an unfaithful husband. " Ha! Nice. Thank you so much.
Yay, fellow myth-geeks!

[kadollan]

Thank you too --- I hadn't thought of The Heroides in a very long time. I enjoyed the chance, excuse and reminder to go re-read Medea's letter.