Final answer:
The suffering in the story of Hippolytus is primarily caused by the protagonist's hamartia, his excessive chastity and disregard of social conventions, which set off a series of tragic events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key reason behind the suffering in the story of Hippolytus is the protagonist's hamartia, which is his excessive chastity and disregard for the complexities of human relationships, leading to misconceptions and tragic events. Hippolytus's strict adherence to chastity, alongside his rejection of the goddess Aphrodite and refusal to engage in the normal social behaviors of love and marriage, sets off a chain of events that leads to deceit, jealousy, and misunderstanding, resulting in widespread suffering. The divine retribution and the consequences of his obstinate purity ultimately culminate in the suffering and death of several characters, making hamartia the central cause of suffering in the narrative.
This explanation echoes the views of Socrates on the consequences of harming one's character, which he believed was a greater harm than physical suffering or death. The story also reflects the complexity of interpreting the causes of suffering in Greek tragedy as it intertwines human flaws with the actions of the gods, aligning with the broader philosophical Problem of Suffering. The narrative underscores how rigid adherence to an ideal, without regard for the values and emotions of others, can lead to personal downfall and collective misery.