Phèdre

Phèdre was a 1677 play by Jean Racine, based on both the play Hippolytus by Euripides, and a later Roman play Phaedra by Seneca the Younger. Due to its negative reception in the popular press, Racine abandoned writing for the public theater after this play (although later in his career he did write additional works on a royal commission). It is generally considered his finest work; it was chosen for inclusion in the Harvard Classics.

Related Topics:
1677 - Jean Racine - Hippolytus - Euripides - Phaedra - Seneca the Younger - Harvard Classics

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Phèdre is the last secular tragedy of Racine before a long silence of twelve years, during which time he devoted himself to the service of King Louis XIV and to religion. In Phèdre, Racine again chose a subject already treated by Greek and Roman tragic poets. In the absence of her husband, King Thésée, Phèdre falls in love with Hippolyte, son of Thésée of a preceding marriage.

Related Topics:
Tragedy - Racine - Louis XIV - Thésée - Phèdre - Hippolyte

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Every aspect of Phèdre was celebrated: the tragic construction, the depth of the personages and the wealth of the versification. In contrast to Euripides in Hippolytos kalyptomenos, Racine puts off Phèdre's death until the end of the play. In this way, she has time to learn of Hippolyte?s death. Phèdre, at once guilty of causing misfortune and being victim to it, is most remarkable among Racine's tragic heroes and heroines.

Related Topics:
Euripides - Hippolytos kalyptomenos

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