Phaedra Lesson Plan

How does Seneca characterize Theseus upon his return home?

In contrast with Theseus's heroic reputation, Theseus as portrayed by Seneca is a broken, weakened man. Theseus admits openly that he no longer feels the vigor or strength he once had, and that he was only able to escape Tartarus on Hercules's coattails. Whereas Theseus once accompanied Hercules on adventures as a companion and equal, in this last adventure he needed to be rescued and could barely keep up with his friend's powerful strides. Most significantly, Theseus does not seem to take any responsibility for his plight. Rather than recognizing that he became trapped in Tartarus because he conspired with a...