What is the story of Phedre?

A morbid love triangle involving King Theseus of Athens, his wife, Phaedra (which in French is Phèdre), and his son by a former marriage, Hippolytus, is revealed by the Queen to her nurse while the family is staying at Troezen, in the Peloponnesus, during Theseus’ absence at war.

What is the theme of Phedre?

The major themes of the play include lust (Phaedra’s lust for Hippolytus is the engine that drives the tragedy, and the Chorus expounds on examples of lust throughout history); women (Phaedra may be considered an heir to the tradition of scheming, wicked women in Greek mythology, such as Medea, although she is …

Why does Phaedra fall in love with Hippolytus?

According to some sources, Hippolytus had spurned Aphrodite to remain a steadfast and virginal devotee of Artemis, and Aphrodite made Phaedra fall in love with him as a punishment.

When was Phedre written?

Phèdre, classical tragedy in five acts by Jean Racine, performed and published in 1677.

Who wrote Phedre?

Jean Racine
Phèdre/Playwrights

Phaedra is a dramatic tragedy in five acts written in alexandrine verse by Jean Racine, first performed in 1677. In Phaedra, Racine chose once more a subject from Greek mythology, already treated by Greek and Roman tragic poets, notably by Euripides in Hippolytus and Seneca.

What does Phedre mean?

as a girls’ name is of Greek derivation, and Phedre means “bright”. Phedre is an alternate spelling of Phaedra (Greek). STARTS WITH Ph- ASSOCIATED WITH greek, bright (light)

Why is Phaedra a tragedy?

Phaedra, is a play by philosopher and dramatist Lucius Annaeus Seneca, which tells the story of Phaedra, wife of King Theseus of Athens, and her consuming lust for her stepson, Hippolytus. No doubt, the root cause of Phaedra’s tragedy is that she is a victim of unrequited love.

Who wrote Phaedra?

“Phaedra” is a 17th-century work by French dramatist Jean Racine. It is based on a story in Greek mythology and centers on Phaedra, the Queen of Athens. Phaedra is a woman with a secret that’s bound to destroy her. And she’s certain to take down others with her.

What is the message of Hippolytus?

Desire, Sexuality, and Chastity The resistance to its force, ‘chastity’ or ‘temperance’ in modern terms, stood as a cultural ideal in Greek society. Hippolytus explores the tension between sexual desire and chastity, as represented by the statues of Artemis and Aphrodite, the goddesses of chastity on the one hand and…

Is Phaedra a hero?

Phaedra is a tragic heroine, just like her contemporary, Medea (she poisons herself with the same potion that Medea has used to kill herself and her children). Their tragedy, however, is not simply that they come to a bad end or experience disappointment.

What kind of tragedy is Phaedra?

Phaedra is a Roman tragedy written by philosopher and dramatist Lucius Annaeus Seneca before 54 A.D. Its 1280 lines of verse tell the story of Phaedra, wife of King Theseus of Athens and her consuming lust for her stepson, Hippolytus.