Phaedra

4 Pages 880 Words

Jean Racine’s play, Phaedra, arouses “pity and terror”, in accordance with Aristotle’s requirements of tragedy. In summary, Phaedra, who is married to Theseus, is overcome with a forbidden love for her stepson Hippolytus. Upon hearing and believing the rumor of her husband’s death, she is convinced by her nurse, Oenone, to finally admit to what is bothering her enough to want to die. When it becomes known that Theseus is in fact alive, and will be returning home shortly, Phaedra and Oenone scheme a lie to sway Theseus into believing that it was Hippolytus who attempted to seduce Phaedra, not vice-versa. Unfortunately, Theseus believes his second wife over his son and without investigating further labels him a “traitor” (4.1), an “adulterer” (4.2), and even a “monster” (4.2). Theseus asks of Neptune to “Avenge a father’s wrong./Seize on this traitor [Hippolytus], and let your rage be strong” (4.2). Theseus demands for Hippolytus to leave at once because of his supposed incestuous love. In the meantime, Hippolytus was in love with Aricia, who wasn’t allowed to marry because of her brothers’ malicious histories. When Phaedra found out about Hippolytus’ love for Aricia, she couldn’t help but to be overwhelmed with jealousy. Just as Theseus realizes that there is something fishy going on and would like to give his son a chance to clear his name, he learns that Hippolytus was killed by a monster. Phaedra finally admits to her wrongdoings and decides to kill herself with poison to represent torture. This tragedy is over with Hippolytus, Phaedra, and Oenone all dead, and Theseus, still alive, who now accepts Aricia to be his daughter.
Phaedra, which was originally written by Euripides, was rewritten by Jean Racine in the year 1677. Although he admits to incorporating some changes into his version of

Phaedra, he believes that he captured the necessary characteristics and events. In his intr...