Res est forma fugax. Identità e funzione del secondo coro della Phaedra di Seneca

Abstract

This paper deals with the problematic choral odes of Seneca's Phaedra - where scarce and contradictory clues do not provide firm indications of the composition of the Chorus - focusing in particular on the second Chorus, which reacts to the escape of Hippolytus and the accusations made by the nurse, confirming the innocence of the boy. The article suggests that, as in other Seneca's dramas, as well as in few but significant Greek tragedies, including the Euripidean Hippolytus, the play could have two distinct Choruses: while a first female Chorus (vv. 274-357) enhances the power of love and shares Phaedra's view, a second Chorus, composed of men, in the second choral ode (vv. 737-828) will defend Hippolytus believing in his innocence but reflecting on the dangers of his seclusion.