Ready Reference Treatise: Phaedra

“Phaedra” by great Greek philosopher and dramatist Lucius Annaeus Seneca is a famous play based on a mythological tale.

The story of the play revolves around Phaedra, wife of King Theseus of Athens, and her insatiable lust for her stepson, Hippolytus.

Greek Mythology and the tragedy “Hippolytus” by the great Greek playwright Euripides are the prime sources of the present play. Seneca has very extensively and artistically explored the tragic story.

Knowing about her lust, the title character Phaedra happens to be in direct pursuit of her stepson. She is also sometimes described as a passive victim of fate. She adopts a scheming character as the play proceeds.

Euripides had written two versions of this tragedy, the lost Hippolytus Veiled and the extant Hippolytus.

Ready Reference Treatise: Phaedra
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
First Section
Second Section
Third Section
Chapter Five: Critical Analysis