42 pages • 1 hour read
EuripidesA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Phaedra, saying that she is “destroyed forever” (565), overhears the Nurse inside the house telling Hippolytus of her love for him. As Phaedra laments the Nurse’s betrayal, Hippolytus enters, followed by the Nurse. He is disgusted by what the Nurse told him and threatens to reveal the secret, even though he has sworn to keep it quiet. Hippolytus embarks on a long tirade against women, on whom he blames all of humankind’s evils. He does, however, promise to keep his oath and say nothing to his father before he storms off.
Phaedra laments her fate, and the Nurse admits that she has failed and that Phaedra is ruined. Not believing that Hippolytus will keep quiet, Phaedra rages at the Nurse and sends her away. Phaedra then makes the Chorus swear not to disclose anything that they heard and reveals her decision to die by suicide in a way that will preserve her reputation while destroying Hippolytus. She exits. The Chorus sings the second stasimon, lamenting Phaedra’s fate and recalling the grim omens that accompanied her arrival in Athens to marry Theseus.
By Euripides
Alcestis
Euripides
Cyclops
Euripides
Electra
Euripides
Hecuba
Euripides
Helen
Euripides
Heracles
Euripides
Ion
Ed. John C. Gilbert, Euripides
Iphigenia in Aulis
Euripides
Medea
Euripides
Orestes
Euripides
The Bacchae
Euripides
Trojan Women
Euripides
Ancient Greece
View Collection
Books on Justice & Injustice
View Collection
Daughters & Sons
View Collection
Family
View Collection
Fate
View Collection
Mythology
View Collection
Pride Month Reads
View Collection
School Book List Titles
View Collection
Tragic Plays
View Collection
Truth & Lies
View Collection
Valentine's Day Reads: The Theme of Love
View Collection