Phaedra

"Phaedra" by Jean Racine is a classical tragedy written in the late 17th century, marking an important moment in French literary history. The play revolves around themes of forbidden love, jealousy, and the fatal consequences of passion. It tells the story of Phaedra, the wife of Theseus, who falls tragically in love with her stepson Hippolytus, leading to a catastrophic chain of events that culminates in misunderstandings and devastation. The narrative centers on Phaedra's tortured emotions as she grapples with her illicit desire for Hippolytus while being caught in the expectations of her role as a wife and mother. After Theseus goes missing, Phaedra's love for Hippolytus becomes all the more complicated and desperate. With the support of her nurse, Oenone, Phaedra battles her internal demons and grapples with her jealousy toward the innocent Aricia, who represents all that she cannot have. Ultimately, the drama unfolds as misunderstandings lead to accusations and tragic outcomes, forcing the characters to confront the dire consequences of their actions, culminating in a heartbreaking conclusion where love, honor, and vengeance collide. The play explores deep emotions and the tragic flaws of its characters, offering a poignant reflection on the human condition. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Jean-Baptiste Racine was a French dramatist, one of the three great playwrights of 17th-century France, along with Molière and Corneille as well as an important literary figure in the Western tradition and world literature. Racine was primarily a tragedian, producing such "examples of neoclassical perfection" as Phèdre, Andromaque, and Athalie. He did write one comedy, Les Plaideurs, and a muted tragedy, Esther for the young.