Wiener Studien 127/2014, pp. 47-70, 2014/07/01
Zeitschrift für Klassische Philologie, Patristik und lateinische Tradition
This paper aims to re-examine the arguments concerning the three main problems of the fragmentary Euripidean tragedy Phaethon, i. e. what character and conflict lies behind Phaethon’s excessive reluctance to the marriage; who the mysterious bride is; and finally, what kind of exodos fits in the dramatic context on the basis of the fragmentary textual evidence. In my discussion Goethe’s reconstruction is dealt with closely; moreover, the poet’s suggestions prove to be valuable not only artistically, but philologically as well. Some personal bias of his treatment nevertheless hints at a new articulation of the Phaethontic character in the Euphorion-episode of Faust II and a general re-evaluation of the hybris-drama.
