# Deianira — The Trachiniae character guide

> Deianira in The Trachiniae by Sophocles.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Queen Deianira, Deianira Maidens, Alcmena Deianira, Enter Deianira

**First appearance:** 0002-the-trachiniae

## Who they are

Heracles' anxious wife, whose long dread of losing him curdles into a desperate act she believes will win his love back.

## Relationships

### [Lichas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trachiniae_se/characters/lichas)

_professional_

Lichas is Deianira's herald and messenger, but he deceives her about Iolè's true identity.

### [Hyllus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trachiniae_se/characters/hyllus)

_family_

Deianira is Hyllus's mother, and he loves her but later condemns her for causing Heracles's suffering.

### [Heracles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trachiniae_se/characters/heracles)

_romantic_

Deianira is Heracles's wife, but their relationship is strained by his infidelity and her jealous actions.

### [Messenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trachiniae_se/characters/messenger)

_professional_

The Messenger brings Deianira crucial information about Iolè, acting as a truth-teller against Lichas's lies.

### [Iolè](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trachiniae_se/characters/iole)

_rivalry_

Deianira views Iolè as a romantic rival, the younger woman Heracles brought home as a concubine.

### [Zeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trachiniae_se/characters/zeus)

_psychological_

Deianira appeals to Zeus as a protector of marriage, feeling betrayed by the god's apparent indifference to her plight.

### [Heracles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trachiniae_se/characters/heracles)

_romantic_

Deianira is Heracles's wife, but their relationship is strained by his infidelity and her jealous actions.

### [Hyllus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trachiniae_se/characters/hyllus)

_family_

Deianira is Hyllus's mother, and he loves her but later condemns her for causing Heracles's suffering.

## In the story

### [Dramatis Personae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trachiniae_se/chapters/dramatis-personae)

Daughter of Oeneus, wife of Heracles.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trachiniae_se/characters/deianira
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trachiniae_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trachiniae_se/characters