Xanthippe was Socrates' wife and matron of ancient Athens. The couple had three sons, Lamprokles, Sophroniskos and Menexenos, and she is said to have had a horrid temper and to have been the very personification of the constantly nagging wife. Her contemporaries did not picture her as such a terrible person as the later Romans did. According to later stories, Socrates knew he was marrying a hag, but did so to practice his patience.
A well-known anecdote about the angry Xanthippe is the one where she was so angry with her husband that she threw a bucket of washing water on him. The philosopher then replied: "After thunder comes rain."
Socrates' saying was "Marry or marry not, in any case you'll regret it." This was supposedly in contemplation of his wife.
It's quite funny, that the word for 'blonde' in Greek, is 'Xanthi'. See us westerners have got it all wrong - blondes aren't dumb at all - they're smart! They know that being patient with a philosopher who has an answer for everything isn't going to them any good!
Well I never knew that, another educational lesson for me.
ReplyDeleteIt was very enjoyable to read, thanks for sharing.
Have a lovely day.
Yvonne.
Ha. I'm not blonde, but good to know. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHa! Great way to use 'X'!! Nice post :D
ReplyDeleteHa, this made me laugh. :)
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, marrying someone you don't like just to practice patience? Who DOES that?
I guess there was that old-testament prophet (can't remember which) who married a prostitute to be an earthly example of God's love to the Isrealites.
I think I'll marry for love. :) Or, at the very least, for friendship and fellowship. :)
I'd say "Poor guy," but he did it to himself.
ReplyDeleteI like what King Solomon, in the bible, said about a nagging wife. He said "it is better to dwell on a rooftop, than to be in the house with a nagging wife."
Well, that was certainly interesting to learn. Now I have to figure out what to do with my husband who happens to be the nagger. haha!
ReplyDeleteNo way in H-E-double L would I EVER marry a philosopher. Especially one of Socrates caliber. I would probably have to kill him before our first anniversary!
ReplyDeleteSocrates knew he was marrying a hag, but did so to practice his patience.
ReplyDeleteYeah right! Sounds like some kind of lame excuse to me. He probably was just looking for female companionship and figured he could change her with his philosophy. Well I guess she showed him. Those philosophers will say anything.
Lee
May 3rd A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post
Very interesting... I didn't know that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I clicked over from Donna's blog!
ReplyDeleteSocrates knew he was marrying a hag, but did so to practice his patience.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lesson to be learned in all things.
Thanks for this post. :)
You know what the Pythons say about Socrates...
ReplyDeleteThis had me laughing out loud. Thanks.
Great x word! I was wondering what you'd do!
ReplyDeleteI'm a blonde. Well, not naturally, but still. And yes, we're pretty damn smart if I do say so myself!
Dude, you worked that X! You go with your bad self. :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate to Xanthippe. Being married to a philosopher is no picnic! My hubby is often too much in his own head to notice the trail of mess he leaves behind him and has a witty comeback for every occasion.
ReplyDeleteMost interesting historical allusion. I like the blonde reflections (I'm blonde too) and Socrates' quote about marrying...or not. Funny!
ReplyDeleteIn a world where men were obsessed with having sons, she gave him three. I think it sounds like a fair trade-off. ;o)
ReplyDeleteLove the thunder-rain comment. I'd never heard that before.
Wow, I never knew that! Thanks for the informational post, great job!
ReplyDeleteThat is SO interesting! Imagine marrying someone to practice your patience - LOL. I would fail that test right away, being of very little patience. Thanks for sharing this great story, I never knew anything about the life of Socrates aside from the hemlock part.
ReplyDeletehag? nag? seems so polite! a bucket of wash water really isn't anything either, imho. this was interesting...as were the comments! :)
ReplyDeleteBUWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I love this! I didn't know anything about her, but I love that sassy painting, and the story about her is fabulous! (though it also makes me fonder of Socrates)
ReplyDelete