Ariadne, Jennifer Steed, Ariadne, and Phaedra explored

The novel Ariadne, written by Jennifer Steed, reimagines the stories of Ariadne and Phaedra, focusing on their characters, experiences, and perceptions. The book delves into the inner thoughts and motivations of Ariadne, shedding light on her anger, pride, and the complexity of her identity. It also examines Phaedra's intelligence, persuasive skills, and rebellious nature, while exploring her struggles with love and relationships. The podcast episode discusses the research and assumptions made by the author while writing the book, as well as the portrayal of women's lives in ancient Greece. It examines the limited options available to women in a patriarchal society and highlights the oppressive attitudes and victim-blaming prevalent in that era. The episode also delves into the portrayal of Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, highlighting both his enjoyable and terrifying sides, and explores the inspiration behind the novel, A Lecture, which focuses on the women whose lives were shattered by Agamemnon, namely Cleytemnestra, Cassandra, and Elektra.