Abstract
Scholars have long grappled with the nature of Heracles’ νόσος and his consequent feminization in Sophocles’Women of Trachis(=Trachiniae). Despite being triggered by a poisonous garment, which acts by means of magic incantation, the evolution of Heracles’ symptoms is described as a clinical case. Yet, making sense of his feminization from a scientific perspective has proven hard. In this paper, I investigate the symptoms experienced by Heracles, which Sophocles generically refers to as νόσος. The first part focusses on Sophocles’ description oferôsas a disease inTrachiniae. I then move on to dividing Heracles’ symptoms into two categories, which I will call νόσος1and νόσος2. The erotic passion for Iole which Heracles naturally experiences in the first part of the tragedy will be denoted by νόσος1, whereas νόσος2will refer to the magic-induced symptoms from which he suffers in the second and final part. In the final section of the paper I will seek to provide a scientific explanation for νόσος2and, ultimately, to describe the medical reasons behind Heracles’ feminization.
Highlights
CHIARA BLANCO magic-induced symptoms from which he suffers in the second and final part
We soon learn about the favourable outcome of Heracles’ last military deeds, yet the tone of the play soon darkens. His passion for young Iole has taken control of his mind and led him to destroy the city of Oechalia, postponing his return home [351–68]
In Trachiniae the antithetical facets of his character are brought together by the νόσος,5 which seizes his mind and his body. This itself constitutes another of the long series of contradictions, in that the valorous hero, known for his strength, is yet so prone to disease as to be linked to several literary traditions on the topic
Summary
At the outset of the tragedy, while describing Heracles’ prolonged absence, Deianira talks about the πικρὰς ὠδῖνας [], ‘bitter pains’, which she experiences every time her husband is far from home. [543–4], Deianira shows sympathy for Heracles’ condition—she cannot blame her husband for what he is experiencing His behaviour is due to a disease (νόσος), which is causing him severe pain. Νόσος is of a thoroughly different nature It is not classifiable as a ‘natural phenomenon’, since it is induced by the enchanted garment, and its destructive effects appear to affect Heracles alone. I focus on the digression of this second and fatal νόσος, showing that it can be divided into two distinctive parts (νόσος2a and νόσος2b): the first (νόσος2a) targets his skin and constitutes the proof that the ointment smeared by Deianira on the robe is working; and the second (νόσος2b) explicitly affects his mental state and signals that the disease is spreading around Heracles’ body, moving from a superficial area (epidermis) to his most inner parts. It evokes the long-held mythological tradition linking Heracles to skin diseases
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
