Il laccio e la spada. Un modo di vedere la "polis

This paper examines the themes explored in Façons tragiques de tuer une femme, focusing on the representation of female deaths in tragic theater and their broader cultural implications. Following the perspective of N. Loraux, the portrayal of a woman’s death on stage reflects a specific vision held by the polis, laden with social and symbolic meanings. The first section, by L. Cerchiai, explores the concept of katharsis, examining how tragic theater stages the «unthinkable » and frames it from a male perspective, often expressed in sexualized terms. In the second section, M. Menichetti investigates the theme of «flight», particularly in female deaths by hanging or noose, as highlighted by N. Loraux. This section emphasizes the symbolic use of tools from the world of seduction as a means for women to achieve death and transcend their earthly constraints. Finally, E. Mugione addresses the absence of this theme in iconographic representations, contrasting it with its theatrical treatment. While this absence suggests a cultural prohibition on representing such deaths visually, subtle iconographic hints imply indirect references to the tragic theme. Together, these perspectives reveal