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Phaedra

Jean Racine

DramaEnglish
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In the Greek city of Troezen, Phaedra, the wife of the hero Theseus, is consumed by a guilty, hopeless passion for her stepson Hippolytus, who loves the…

Catalogue details

Author
Jean Racine
Category
Drama
Language
English
Source
Project Gutenberg

About this book

In the Greek city of Troezen, Phaedra, the wife of the hero Theseus, is consumed by a guilty, hopeless passion for her stepson Hippolytus, who loves the princess Aricia. When false news comes that Theseus is dead, Phaedra confesses her love to Hippolytus, who recoils in horror. Then Theseus returns alive, and Phaedra's nurse, to protect her mistress, accuses Hippolytus of attempting to seduce his stepmother, and Theseus calls down the curse of Neptune on his son.

Context and significance

Jean Racine (1639–1699), the greatest tragic poet of French classicism, staged the play in 1677, drawing on Euripides and Seneca, and it is considered his masterpiece. This translation is by Robert Bruce Boswell. Compare the Medea of Euripides.

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