Exploring the Themes of Illegitimacy/Legitimacy and Incest in Euripides’s Hippolytus, Shakespeare’s King Lear, and John Ford’s ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore

Exploring the Themes of Illegitimacy/Legitimacy and Incest in Euripides’s Hippolytus, Shakespeare’s King Lear, and John Ford’s ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore

The themes of illegitimacy, legitimacy, and incest are central to the works of many classical and early modern playwrights. Euripides’s Hippolytus, Shakespeare’s King Lear, and John Ford’s ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore all address these themes in unique ways, examining the consequences of these forbidden relationships on family dynamics, power structures, and individual identities. In these plays, illegitimacy and incest often serve as catalysts for the tragic events that unfold, revealing the moral and social tensions between natural desires, familial bonds, and societal expectations. Below, I will explore how these themes are developed and explored within each of these three works.

1. Euripides’s Hippolytus: The Illegitimacy of Desire and Its Consequences

• Illegitimacy and the Tragic Impact of Desire: In Hippolytus, the themes of illegitimacy and incest are explored through the conflict between Phaedra’s forbidden love for her stepson Hippolytus and the ensuing consequences for the family and society. Phaedra, married to King Theseus, falls in love with her stepson, Hippolytus, a relationship that is, of course, taboo in both the literal and moral sense. Phaedra’s desire is not just illicit but an affront to societal norms. This forbidden passion drives the plot, leading to tragic consequences for both Phaedra and Hippolytus.

  • Phaedra’s Conflicted Desire: Phaedra’s love for Hippolytus is considered illegitimate not only because he is her stepson but also because it transgresses the natural familial bonds that should define her relationship with him. Her desire is both a personal sin and a crime against the natural order, resulting in her internal moral conflict and eventual suicide. Her death is a form of atonement, but it also leads to the scapegoating of Hippolytus.

  • The Tragic Outcome: The themes of illegitimacy and desire culminate in the tragic death of Hippolytus, who is falsely accused of raping Phaedra and driven to suicide. The legitimacy of his reputation is destroyed as a result of Phaedra’s unrequited and forbidden love, and her death sets off a series of events that lead to the moral and social downfall of the characters involved. The play portrays the destructive power of illicit desires and the devastating consequences of actions that breach societal norms.

2. Shakespeare’s King Lear: Legitimate Power and Illegitimate Authority

• Illegitimacy and Power Struggles: In King Lear, the theme of legitimacy is tied closely to inheritance, authority, and power. Lear’s decision to divide his kingdom among his daughters based on their flattery and not their actual abilities leads to an exploration of legitimate versus illegitimate authority. The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate power becomes especially important when considering the character of Edmund, the illegitimate son of Gloucester, who seeks to usurp the legitimate power of his half-brother Edgar.

  • Edmund’s Illegitimacy and Desire for Power: Edmund embodies the theme of illegitimacy, as he is born out of wedlock, and his quest for power is fueled by his resentment toward his status as a bastard. His illegitimate birth is a source of shame for him, and he strives to overturn the social order that devalues him based on his birthright. Edmund manipulates and deceives others to gain power, ultimately causing chaos in the kingdom. His illegitimacy becomes his motivation to commit morally questionable acts in his quest for legitimacy and the throne.

  • Lear’s Misjudgment and the Downfall of Legitimacy: The main plot of King Lear revolves around Lear’s relinquishing of his legitimate authority as king, based on his misjudgment of his daughters’ affection. Goneril and Regan, who flatter him with false professions of love, gain his trust, while Cordelia, who speaks the truth, is disinherited and cast out. Lear’s decision undermines the legitimate power of his reign, and his failure to recognize the true nature of legitimacy results in the collapse of his kingdom and family. The play illustrates how the abuse of legitimate power—whether political or familial—can lead to destruction and tragedy.

  • Illegitimacy in Family Dynamics: The play also critiques the consequences of parental favoritism, betrayal, and disinheritance. The legitimate relationship between parent and child is disrupted by Lear’s actions and by the illegitimacy of Edmund, who seeks to usurp Edgar’s rightful position. Lear’s downfall is a direct result of his misplaced trust in the false legitimacy of his daughters, while Edmund’s ambition reveals the corrupting influence of illegitimacy on his character.

3. *John Ford’s ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore: Incest and Forbidden Desire

• Incest as the Central Theme: John Ford’s ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore takes the themes of incest and illicit desire to their most extreme, focusing on the forbidden love between the siblings Giovanni and Annabella. The play begins with the shocking revelation that Giovanni, a young nobleman, is in love with his sister Annabella, a relationship that would be unthinkable and deeply taboo in both the social and religious context of the time.

  • Giovanni’s Illicit Love: Giovanni’s passion for Annabella is depicted as intense and overpowering, and his desire transcends the boundaries of familial love. Ford uses Giovanni’s actions to explore the moral, social, and psychological consequences of incest. Giovanni justifies his behavior by expressing a belief in the purity of his love for Annabella, but his actions are seen as deeply unnatural, evil, and sinful. His incestuous passion leads to the destruction of both siblings, as Annabella becomes pregnant and their illicit relationship spirals into violence and tragedy.

  • Annabella’s Consent and Tragic End: Annabella, who at first seems complicit in the affair, eventually recognizes the social and religious implications of her actions, but by then it is too late. Her pregnancy and subsequent betrayal by Giovanni, who kills her to prevent her from marrying someone else, lead to the complete breakdown of their familial and social relations. The incestuous relationship between Giovanni and Annabella becomes the catalyst for a series of violent acts, demonstrating the destructive potential of forbidden desire and the moral decay that comes with violating the natural order.

  • The Impact on Legitimacy: The illegitimacy of Giovanni and Annabella’s relationship is not only a moral violation but also a breach of the social and familial codes of conduct. Their incest undermines their legitimacy in society and their family’s honor, and their tragic end serves as a reminder of the consequences of forsaking these moral and social boundaries. In the play, the power of incest is shown to break down familial and social structures, culminating in death and chaos.

4. Comparison and Conclusion: The Destructive Power of Illegitimacy and Incest

• Illegitimacy and the Desire for Legitimacy: In Hippolytus and King Lear, illegitimacy is closely tied to the pursuit of power and social recognition. In Hippolytus, Phaedra’s illicit love and Hippolytus’s unfortunate involvement with it reflect the destruction that can result from violating societal norms. In King Lear, Edmund’s illegitimacy fuels his desire to overthrow the rightful heirs and seize power, showing how illegitimate births can be both a source of personal frustration and a catalyst for larger societal upheaval.

• Incest as a Destructive Force: ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore takes the theme of incest to a more extreme and disturbing level, focusing on the psychological and moral collapse of its characters. Unlike the more subtle critiques in Hippolytus and King Lear, Ford’s play explores incest not only as a violation of social and familial norms but as an act that destroys both individuals and society itself. Giovanni and Annabella’s incestuous relationship leads to murder, social ruin, and death, representing the ultimate consequence of forsaking moral and natural boundaries.

• Consequences of Illegitimacy and Incest: All three works demonstrate the tragic consequences of illegitimacy and incest. Whether it is the destruction of reputation and honor in Hippolytus and King Lear, or the catastrophic violence in ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, these works show how breaches of the social and familial order lead to the collapse of both individual lives and larger societal structures.

In conclusion, Euripides, Shakespeare, and Ford use the themes of illegitimacy and incest to explore moral dilemmas, personal identity, and societal expectations. Through their characters, they examine the consequences of defying accepted norms, illustrating the chaos and destruction that can result from forbidden desires and the quest for power. These themes remain potent in literature because they touch on fundamental human anxieties about family, identity, and the consequences of breaking social taboos.