Madwomen and Lovers

Ancient Greeks and Romans were fascinated by the figure of the distressed mythological heroine, and from the Classical period onward their literature showcases women tormented by love (often for a forbidden object), but able to give voice to their desires and dilemmas. We will look at examples from different types of ancient literature (especially drama and epic), focusing on the blend of victimization and self-expression in their portrayal, and on their sometimes surprising role in the literature of love, mythology, and national history.