Jean Racine was born in 1639 at La Ferte-Milon, the son of a government official. He was orphaned by the age of three and spent his childhood with his grandparents; his formative educational years were spent at the college of Port-Royal. Port-Royal numbered among its teachers some of the best […]
Read more Jean Racine BiographyCharacter Analysis Theseus
In his appearances, limited to the latter part of the play, Theseus, despite the ambiguity and humiliation of his situation behaves with the dignity and nobility we would expect of an aging king. His rage is powerful, but it reveals no shade of self-pity or petty malice, and his resemblance […]
Read more Character Analysis TheseusCharacter Analysis Oenone
Unlike the generally self-effacing confidantes in Racine’s plays, Oenone has extraordinary stature. She is almost a major character, another Phaedra played in a different key. Like her mistress she is the victim of an overwhelming passion — in her case, maternal-like love. Her misdeeds are not the result of an […]
Read more Character Analysis OenoneCharacter Analysis Aricia
While Racine lacks Shakespeare’s universal curiosity and limits himself to a few recurrent themes, he achieves a great deal of variety within his narrow range. Thus while Aricia and Phaedra are, on the surface, parallel characters, two women in love with the same man, they are really antithetical. Together, they […]
Read more Character Analysis AriciaCharacter Analysis Hippolytus
Dramatic necessity dictates that in spite of the extraordinary intensity of her emotions, Phaedra does not dominate the stage entirely. If Hippolytus were only a shadowy figure, Phaedra’s love would be incomprehensible, and the tragic dimensions of a great passion would be reduced to mere wantonness. Hence Racine made of […]
Read more Character Analysis HippolytusCharacter Analysis Phaedra
Phaedra is one of Racine’s most compelling creations, perhaps because she so successfully evokes the double feeling of pity and horror. Horrifying she undoubtedly is, for she perpetrates her crime with the full lucidity of most classical characters. If circumstances of her confidante’s insidious advice occasionally facilitate her transgressions, they […]
Read more Character Analysis PhaedraSummary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 6-7
Summary It is too late. Theramenes, Hippolytus’ tutor, bursts in to tell Theseus that Hippolytus is dead. As they were leaving the gates of Troezen, Hippolytus driving in his chariot, a strange cry came from the sea, and Hippolytus’ horses grew restive. Then, in the sea, a great wave arose, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 6-7Summary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 4-5
Summary Disturbed by Oenone’s hints, Theseus realizes that he himself still has doubts and calls the guards to bring Oenone to him so that he may question her further. But Panope, one of Phaedra’s waiting women, has shocking news for him. Phaedra has driven Oenone from her presence, and Oenone […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 4-5Summary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 1-3
Summary Hippolytus is indeed saying farewell to Aricia, and she is protesting, but not against the separation. She fears the effect of Theseus’ curse and urges her lover to tell his father the truth before he goes. But Hippolytus cannot speak; it is not a son’s place to tell his […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 1-3Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scenes 4-6
Summary Phaedra enters, distraught, and begs Theseus not to kill his son, not to put upon her conscience the guilt of such a crime. Theseus reassures her that he has not touched Hippolytus; Neptune will revenge him. Phaedra, yet more alarmed, begins to question, but Theseus cuts her off and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scenes 4-6