Hera
by CTCWeb Editors
The Jealous Type
Hera has a reputation for being the jealous wife. As a result of Zeus’ exploits with other goddesses and mortals, Hera becomes enraged enough to exact some type of revenge. Hera, herself is the faithful wife and this may justify her anger but are her acts of revenge over zealous? Students should investigate the vengeful side of Hera. Below are some textual citations in which Hera indulges her anger and gets her revenge.
Vase Description, Malibu 72.AE.128 - This vase depicts the transformation of Kallisto into a bear. Her transformation is the result of Hera’s jealousy. One myth says that Hera turned Kallisto into a bear in a jealous rage and another says that Zeus changed Kallisto into a bear to avoid Hera’s wrath.
Apollodorus 2.1.3 - Hera sends a gadfly after one of Zeus’s consorts, Io. Io has been turned into a cow and wanders the Earth feeling Hera’s contempt in the sting of the fly. Apollodorus 2.4.5 - Alcmena is ready to give birth to Artemis and Apollo, her children by Zeus. In a jealous rage Hera persuades the Ilithyias to retard Alcmena’s delivery to cause her great discomfort. Apollodorus 3.4.3 - Hera deceives Semele causing her to ask Zeus to reveal his true self to her. When Zeus must compile, Semele is burned. Apollodorus 3.4.3 - Hera drives Athamas mad and causes him to hunt and kill his son as a deer. Apollodorus 3.5.1 - Hera drives Dionysos mad since he is the offspring of Zeus and Semele. Apollodorus 3.8.2 - Here the story of Hera and Callisto is told. Zeus had an affair with Callisto so Hera turns Callisto into a bear and then has Artemis shoot her down.
Aeschylus Prometheus Bound 600 - Io speaks of her torture by Hera. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound lines 582, 900 - The author mentions Hera as the one who sent Io on her wanderings for revenge. Prometheus hears the cries of Io who is tormented by the gadfly. Aeschylus, Suppliant Maidens lines 291 ff. - The king tells the chorus of the vengeful plan of Hera to torment Io with the gadfly because of Zeus’ affair with the mortal.
Euripides, Bacchae line 9 - Dionysos speaks about Hera’s punishment for his mother, Semele. Euripides, Bacchae lines 89-104 - As a result of Hera’s trickery, a pregnant Semele was destroyed by Zeus’ brilliance. To save the child in Semele’s womb, Zeus sewed him into his thigh. Euripides, Bacchae lines 287-297 - Zeus hid the truth about Dionysos from Hera as the baby Dionysos gestated in his father’s thigh. Hera wanted to banish Dionysos from Olympus because he was a result of one of Zeus’ affairs. Euripides, Cyclops line 4 - Silenus speaks of how Hera drove Dionysos mad probably for revenge due to Zeus’ infidelity with Dionysos’ mother.
Hesiod Theogony 925 - “But Hera without union with Zeus—for she was very angry and quarreled with her mate—bare famous Hephaestus, who is skilled in crafts more than all the sons of Heaven.”
Homer Iliad Book 1 line 560 - Zeus speaks to Hera saying that she is a strange one who is always suspicious. He tells her that her acts of jealousy will only drive her further from his heart.
Homeric Hymn 3b: To Pythian Apollo, lines 311 ff. - Hera complains to the gods that Zeus dishonors her by having children with other goddesses and mortals.
Pausanias 9.3.1 - Zeus and Cithaeron, the despot in Plataea, contrive a plan to trick Hera into giving up her anger towards Zeus. Zeus made a wooden image and dressed it in bridal clothing. He announced his wedding to Plataea, the wooden image and put it in a wagon. Hera came o investigate the marriage and upon seeing the that the bride was wood forgave Zeus. Pausanias 8.3.5 - Here again the story of Hera and Callisto is told. Hera turns Callisto into a bear and then has Artemis shoot her down. Pausanias 9.11.3 - “The Thebans call them Witches, adding that they were sent by Hera to hinder the birth-pangs of Alcmena. So these kept Alcmena from bringing forth her child.”
