Hymn to Enodia in Euripides’ Ion

Abstract

Our paper aims to analyze the function the Hymn to Enodia performs in the third stasimon (1048-1105) of Euripides’ Ion, within the plot as well as at the extrafictional level. Our purpose is also to refute the criticisms that have often considered the choral songs of Euripides to be not very relevant for the action developed on stage. From a different perspective, our intention is to highlight the relevance the hymn to Enodia –a goddess who apparently bears no relation to the tragedy’s μῦθος– has for the understanding of Ion, since Enodia-Hecate is not involved with Erechtheus or with his descendants. The choral ode, as an εὐκτικός hymn, refers to two essential aspects of this tragedy. On the one hand, as Enodia is the protectress of deliveries and newborn children, the chorus’ requests make reference to the supposed reality of Creusa, who has not yet given an heir to the throne of Athens. On the other hand, Enodia, as Demeter’s daughter, alludes to Eleusinian and Orphic mysteries. Furthermore, in this hymn the chorus describes the Eleusinian rites, which makes it possible to interpret this hymn in relation to mystery cults. It should be noted that this ode can also be considered to be a defixio, which seeks to harm Ion.