Phaedra : Summary

Summary

Background

Seneca’s Phaedra is one of the most famous and influential plays of Roman tragedy. It was written in the first century CE, a time when Stoic philosophy, moral teachings, and political complexities were shaping Roman society. During that period, Roman tragedy was not merely entertainment but also a reflection of philosophical and ethical thought. Phaedra was not staged publicly; rather, it was written for reading and recitation among the educated elite. Nevertheless, the play later had a profound influence on European literature, especially during the Renaissance.

The story of Phaedra comes from Greek mythology, particularly based on Euripides’ Hippolytus. The main character, Phaedra, is the wife of Theseus and the stepmother of Hippolytus. She becomes consumed by a forbidden love for her stepson. When her love is openly rejected, she falsely accuses him, which leads to Hippolytus’ death under the curse of Theseus. Finally, when the truth is revealed, Phaedra, overwhelmed with guilt, takes her own life.

This play is not just the tale of a woman’s forbidden love, but also an exploration of the conflict between passion and reason, desire and morality, and personal weakness versus Stoic self-control. Seneca sought to show how irrational desires can destroy families. For this reason, Phaedra remains an important document in the history of Roman tragedy and a work of deep influence on Western drama.

Summary 

Theseus’ descent to the underworld and long absence: Seneca’s Phaedra is a revenge tragedy. At the beginning of the play, we learn that Theseus, king of Athens and husband of Phaedra, has been in the underworld for many years. He went there to help his close friend Pirithous. Pirithous had wished to abduct Persephone, the wife of Pluto, the god of the underworld. Out of friendship, Theseus joined him in this dangerous mission. But the result was terrible: Pirithous was immediately punished and chained forever, and Theseus too became trapped in the underworld.

According to the timeline of the play, about four years have passed, yet Theseus has not returned. This long absence becomes the main driving force of the story. In her husband’s absence, Phaedra gradually grows weak, and in her heart arises a forbidden and destructive love—an attraction to her stepson Hippolytus. Thus, the tragedy of the play begins, centered on Theseus’ absence.

Phaedra’s weakness for Hippolytus: Because Theseus has long been confined to the underworld, Phaedra feels extremely lonely and neglected. In this state, her stepson Hippolytus gradually takes a special place in her heart. Hippolytus is indifferent to the luxuries of the palace and political life. He loves the life of nature, forests, and hunting more. His hero and ideal is the goddess Diana, the deity of chastity, hunting, and purity.

But Hippolytus’ strict chastity and disregard for women make Phaedra’s love even more painful. When Hippolytus leaves the palace to go hunting, Phaedra suffers from deep despair and emptiness. One day, her nurse asks her what torment is consuming her from within. At that moment, Phaedra confesses her terrible secret truth for the first time: she has fallen in love with her own stepson, Hippolytus. This confession marks the beginning of the central conflict of the play, which gradually leads to a dreadful tragedy.

The Story and Curse of Phaedra’s Mother: After Phaedra confesses her secret love, the Nurse tries to convince her that this unnatural desire is actually part of her family curse. The Nurse reminds her of the story of her mother, Pasiphae. Once, the goddess Venus cursed Pasiphae, causing her to be struck with unnatural lust for a bull. From this came the terrifying monster Minotaur, half-man and half-bull. Later, this Minotaur was slain by Phaedra’s husband, Theseus.

By recalling this story, the Nurse suggests that Phaedra’s destructive love is also part of the same family curse. Phaedra herself admits it. She says that her family has long suffered under Venus’ curse. Just as Pasiphae was cursed and gave birth to the Minotaur, she too has fallen under Venus’ wrath and into forbidden love for her stepson Hippolytus. In this way, Phaedra tries to explain her passion not merely as personal weakness, but as the result of a divine curse. Thus, her tragedy appears not only personal but also the inevitable outcome of fate.

The Nurse’s Help for Phaedra: After hearing Phaedra’s painful confession, the Nurse tries to explain that emotions must be controlled. But Phaedra admits that she is being swept away by uncontrollable passion. She compares herself to a ship caught in a storm, unable to keep its direction. She knows that this desire and forbidden love will lead to her destruction.

The Nurse now realizes that prohibitions are useless. So, she decides to help Phaedra. Meanwhile, Hippolytus remains devoted to hunting and the worship of the goddess Diana. He despises women and scorns female companionship. When Hippolytus returns to the palace after hunting, the Nurse tries to reason with him. She says that life is not only about hard hunting or strict chastity, but also about enjoying pleasures—luxury, feasting, wine, and the company of women.

These words are actually a subtle hint, meant to make Hippolytus realize that someone (meaning Phaedra) loves him. But Hippolytus grows irritated at the Nurse’s advice and firmly rejects it. From this moment, the central conflict of the play becomes even more complicated.

Phaedra’s Rejection by Hippolytus: When the Nurse tells Hippolytus about the necessity of women’s company, he becomes extremely irritated. He says that nature and hunting are man’s true refuge, and that women are the source of all evil and sin. He despises women and believes they weaken human society. Just then, Phaedra enters the scene. She hears the conversation and pretends to faint suddenly. Worried, Hippolytus asks her what made her so ill so suddenly. At that moment, Phaedra can no longer hide her feelings and confesses that she has fallen in love with him.

Hippolytus is stunned by this confession. At first, he expresses disgust, then declares that Phaedra is even more degraded than her mother, Pasiphae. Pasiphae had been consumed by lust for a bull, but Phaedra is engaged in an even more dreadful sin. In anger, Hippolytus draws his sword to kill her.

But Phaedra tells him, “Kill me, I am ready to die.” Hearing this, Hippolytus hesitates. In the end, he cannot kill her. Throwing down his sword, he leaves the palace in rage and humiliation and retreats to the forest. On the other hand, Phaedra cannot bear this rejection. Inside, she burns with shame, dishonor, and anger. This failed love later ignites the fire of terrible revenge.

The Conspiracy Against Hippolytus and His Tragic Death: Phaedra cannot tolerate the humiliation of Hippolytus’ rejection. Pressured by the Nurse and circumstances, she finally becomes involved in a dreadful conspiracy. The plan is to accuse Hippolytus of trying to rape his stepmother, Phaedra. As evidence, there remains Hippolytus’ sword, which he had thrown away in anger.

At that very time, after many years, Theseus returns from the underworld. He finds his wife, Phaedra, sunk in deep grief and despair. When Theseus questions her, Phaedra pretends and tells him that her chastity was nearly defiled, that someone had tried to violate her. Then she hands over Hippolytus’ sword to her husband. This enrages Theseus greatly.

Blinded by anger, Theseus prays to his father, Neptune, the god of the sea, to carry out the curse. Neptune keeps his promise. Soon after, a messenger arrives with the dreadful news of Hippolytus’ death. He describes how, when Hippolytus was riding his chariot along the seashore, suddenly a monstrous bull-like creature emerged from the sea. Terrified, the horses bolted. Hippolytus was thrown from the chariot, but unfortunately, the reins became entangled around his feet.

The maddened horses dragged him across hills, rocks, and dust. His body was battered against stones until it was torn apart in a horrific manner. Thus, the innocent Hippolytus met a cruel and tragic death, caused by a false accusation and his father’s curse.

The Revelation of Truth and the Tragic End: After hearing the news of Hippolytus’ tragic death, Phaedra collapses in deep remorse. She can no longer hide her crime. At last, she confesses that Hippolytus was innocent, and that the false accusation was born out of her own imagined revenge. Overcome with guilt and shame, Phaedra takes her own life with a sword.

Theseus is struck with horror at his wife’s confession. He becomes furious with himself. In blind rage, he had cursed his son without once seeking the truth. For this mistake, he curses himself.

At the end, Theseus orders that Hippolytus be buried with honor, paying tribute to his brave yet innocent life. On the other hand, he commands that Phaedra be buried deep under the earth, so that her shame and guilt may be hidden in darkness. He says, “Heap much earth upon her impure head.”

Thus, the play ends, where love turns into a curse, false accusation destroys an innocent life, and repentance arrives too late. Phaedra becomes the symbol of an eternal tragedy, where human passion and divine curse together bring about a dreadful fate.