Xanthippe, the Insufferable Wife of Socrates

Socrates is probably The West’s best-known philosopher. The image of the ancient Greek thinker comes to mind immediately when most people think of philosophy. Socrates has been taught outright and mentioned peripherally in many of my philosophy classes. I’ve certainly heard a lot about the man, but no one ever really told me much about his wife. Xanthippe is described by Antisthenes as: “the hardest to get along with of all the women there are.” She is known to history for her explosive temper and inclination to argue. She is often described as cranky, nagging, and hysterical.

Socrates also gives his own comments in Symposium about Xanthippe, explaining that her argumentative nature is the reason why he likes her.

This is is based on the information provided by the writings of the ancient Greek philosophers, particularly Plato in his dialogues. However, it is important to note that specific details about Jantipa's life are scarce, and much of what is known about her is through second-hand comments and accounts. The truth is that there was a big age difference between Socrates and Xanthippe, and she was forced to marry the philosopher in a patriarchal society.

From a feminist perspective, it is interesting to analyze the position of women in ancient Athens, where Socrates lived. In classical Greek society, women had a lower status than men and were assigned traditional roles within the home and in child-rearing. They were not allowed to participate in public life, nor did they have access to formal education.

Given this context, it is likely that Jantipa, like other women of her time, had a limited role in society and in Socrates' philosophical life. She may have primarily been tasked with the responsibility of raising their children and managing the household.

However, while historical records do not provide many details about the relationship between Socrates and Xanthippe, there are some mentions in Plato's dialogues that suggest she was not entirely satisfied with her marriage. In the dialogue "The Republic," Socrates mentions that his wife often becomes angry and criticizes his dedication to philosophy.

The way Xanthippe is portrayed in Plato's dialogues has been a subject of debate. Some critics argue that her role is exaggerated to emphasize the renunciation and total dedication to Socrates' philosophy. Others argue that her negative portrayal reflects the biases of the time towards women and their lack of recognition in society.

In any case, from a feminist perspective, it is important to recognize that women in ancient Athens faced significant inequalities and restrictions compared to men. While we do not know many details about Jantipa's life, her story can serve as a reminder of women's historical struggle for equality and as an opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made in terms of gender since then.