Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Ferrex and Porrex explained
Two brothers, Ferrex and Porrex, quarrel over the kingdom after their father Leir.
What happens
Two brothers, Ferrex and Porrex, quarrel over the kingdom after their father Leir. Porrex expels Ferrex, who returns with Frankish aid and is slain in battle. Their mother, enraged by the death of her favorite son, murders Porrex while he sleeps, tearing him apart with her women. This story inspired the first English tragedy, 'Gorboduc' (later 'Ferrex and Porrex'), written by Thomas Sackville and Thomas Norton in 1561.
Themes in this chapter
Jealousy and Revenge
The brothers' quarrel over supremacy leads to war and death, and the mother's vengeful murder of her surviving son exemplifies revenge born from grief and rage.
Fate and Free Will
The brothers' choices to fight and the mother's deliberate act of vengeance shape a tragic outcome, highlighting the interplay of human will and destined ruin.
Key passages
“They quarrelled about the supremacy, and Porrex expelled his brother, who, obtaining aid from Suard, king of the Franks, returned and made war upon Porrex.”
The brothers argued over who should rule, and Porrex forced Ferrex out. Ferrex then got help from Suard, the Frankish king, and came back to fight Porrex.
Describes the conflict and Ferrex's alliance with foreign forces.
“She took, therefore, her opportunity when he was asleep, fell upon him, and, with the assistance of her women, tore him in pieces.”
So she waited until he was asleep, attacked him, and with her maids' help, ripped him apart.
Depicts the mother's brutal revenge on her surviving son.