Consider “Phaedra” as a Revenge Tragedy
Phaedra is a notable literary work by Lucius Annaeus Seneca. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Phaedra.
Answer
Consider “Phaedra” as a revenge tragedy.
Roman playwright Seneca’s (4 BC-AD 65) Phaedra exemplifies the best paradigm of a revenge tragedy. It shows that irrelevant passionate love is nothing but merely a source of destruction. It focuses on the destructive power of vengeance, curses, and uncontrollable passions. It highlights the divine and human desire for revenge that drives the characters to inevitable destruction.
Divine Revenge and the Curse of Lust: The central theme of Phaedra is divine vengeance. Phaedra’s obsessive desire for Hippolytus is portrayed as a curse from Venus (goddess of love, beauty, sex, fertility, and victory). According to the play, Venus seeks revenge on Phaedra’s family because Apollo (an ancestor of Phaedra) exposed her affair with Mars.
This divine curse takes the form of unnatural lust. It echoes the fate of Phaedra’s mother, Pasiphae, who lusted after a bull. Seneca uses this connection to emphasise that Phaedra’s destructive passion is not merely a personal flaw. Instead, it results from a vengeful curse that brings suffering upon her and everyone around her.
Phaedra’s False Accusation as Revenge: When Hippolytus rejects Phaedra’s love, she lashes out in revenge. She falsely accused him of attempting to rape her. This false accusation of emotional revenge was born from her wounded pride and desperation. Phaedra’s nurse encourages her to follow her deceitful plan. It reflects the darker side of revenge. Her actions set off a tragic chain reaction that leads to Hippolytus’ death. This point in the play highlights how lies and deceit are often used as tools for vengeance. Phaedra’s nurse says,
We must throw the crime back on him himself, and ourselves charge him with incestuous love. Crime must be concealed by crime.
Theseus’ Sudden Revenge: In the tragedy, Theseus’ sudden decision to seek revenge against his son Hippolytus precipitates the tragedy. Without proper investigation upon Hearing Phaedra’s accusation, Theseus immediately calls upon his father, Neptune, to curse Hippolytus. Theseus says,
Now fulfill the sad boon, O ruler of the sea! Let Hippolytus see
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