Did you blame Aphrodite for cheating on her husband, Hephaestus, or do you think her actions were justified? He later traps her in bed with Ares and exposes the couple’s affair (pp 142-148). Do you think their punishment was fitting?
That scene was terrible and such a turning point for Aphrodite’s whole trajectory. I wouldn’t say she was justified in the affair with Ares but I certainly couldn’t blame her. She was forced to marry someone she didn’t love and live a life that was decided for her. It was so telling how others reacted to her versus how they reacted to all the men who cheated.
Hephaestus was so hurt by her betrayal, probably more so than that of his own brother. I think he reacted in the only way he knew how, and most certainly was guided and encouraged by the other gods.
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This scene was very disturbing, but I had to remember where this took place and how the gods were “gods!” Their personifications were human extremes. Aphrodite wanted Ares and she made it happen and that was all that mattered to here. The punishment was horrible and it made Hephaestus feel justified, but I was upset her daughter saw this happen. Also, the fact only men were there to see this and they were taunting only Aphrodite…patriarchy rears its head!
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I agree she was not justified. It was interesting watching her change over the course - there were periods where she was selfish making decisions based on her benefit and other times she would take steps for other people. I admired her spirit.
Not really. The double standard for men shouldn’t exist at all and definitely shouldn’t apply to the goddess of love and beauty. She was forced into the marriage so it seems pre-ordained. Her husband, despite idolizing her, was rather beastly, but her lover was not.
Blame her no but she should have just refused to marry Hephaestus in the first place. I think both Aphrodite and Ares paid for the affair, especially Aphrodite in the fact she basically lost her daughter over it. That to me was the worst punishment and no I don’t think it was deserved.
This is an interesting question. I wonder if it would be asked if the protagonist was a male? Aphrodite was in love with Ares before her marriage, she was given away as property (and women were). Among the gods there was always double dealing, I guess I would say I do not blame her, she was following her heart, being herself. And Zues is a hypocrite, as he was quite the philanderer! No, the punishment was not fitting, to take her child from her was obscene. This has happened though in reality.
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I did not want to get into the patriarchy thing in these pages, but Karen_B1 says it all. The male characters in the book are the ones who want to run the show and do not listen to women.
On a side note, our book club read a non-fiction book about patriarchy and now it colors everything I read! I am not sure that book was a good idea? 
@Cheryl_T what was the name of the book on patriarchy? Did your group think it was a worthwhile read?
I’m not sure justified is the right question here. Were her actions really any different from multiple male characters within the narrative? Her behavior was certainly understandable and would not have been an issue in the first place if Zeus had not auctioned her off. The punishment was awful and disproportionate but also not terribly surprising.
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I certainly didn’t lie Hephaestus and thought he was pretty vile. I don’t condone adultery, but I can appreciate Aphrodite’s decision to cheat on him. I think what he did in exposing Aphrodite was pure revenge and he was not saint himself. I didn’t agree with the punishment.
Aphrodite doesn’t choose to marry Hephaestus so she is without emotional connection from the start. To me this explains the affair but doesn’t truly justifies it. She has a deep desire for passion and her marriage doesn’t fulfill her. Hephaestus’ response is understandable given that he is in pain and humiliated but seems excessive. Nobody wins as it strips them all of dignity.
No, I don’t blame her for it. Do I think it was reckless, selfish, and a bit heartless to do it in their marital bed yes, but blame…that’s a pretty strong word. As for the ‘punishment’ it was ridiculous and awful. But then a lot of things were awful in the life of the Gods…
I felt that Aphrodite and Ares simply continued what they started before she married Hephaestus. She made it clear to Hephaestus that she was not interested in him when he tried to woo her. For all purposes it was an arranged marriage, she was the prize. I felt she followed her passion and rebelled. Zeus could force her to marry but had no control over what she did with her body. In their world only the women were expected to keep their vows. The public humiliation was spiteful, especially making her daughter aware of her behavior. The fact that Zeus gave her daughter to Hera, who clearly was an abusive mother, was mean spirited. Both of them were banished from Olympus until recalled. This wasn’t much of a punishment for Ares since he was rarely there and Aphrodite had no love for Olympus. The real punishment was the family separation of Aphrodite and Harmonia. Once Hephaestus learns that he wasn’t her father he pours salt in the wound by gifting Harmonia with the cursed necklace at her wedding.
I agree with Karen_B1. She did not want to be married to Hephaestus, but women weren’t given choices at that time. I don’t think he loved her. He just wanted to have a beautiful woman as his wife, especially since she was desired by most men. He viewed her as a possession.
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That’s a tough call, since we are dealing with gods, not human beings.
The name of the book is ERASED: what American patriarchy has hidden from us I think it’s worth reading. I’m not sure. I agree with everything in it, but it does make you think.
“Extramarital” affairs result from unhappiness. Aphrodite loved Ares and was forced to marry Hephaestus. This arranged marriage was doomed from the beginning and only increased Aphrodite’s passion for Ares. How Hephaestus exposes the affair was shocking enough, but losing Harmonia was certainly not a fitting punishment.