42 pages • 1 hour read
Hippolytus
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Book Brief
112
Play • Fiction
Troezen, Greece • Classical Antiquity
428
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Hippolytus by Euripides is set before the palace of Theseus in Troezen and opens with a speech from Aphrodite, who explains that Hippolytus has angered her by rejecting erotic love in favor of honoring Artemis. To punish him, she causes his stepmother Phaedra to fall in love with him, resulting in tragic consequences. Phaedra admits her feelings to her Nurse, and the ensuing events lead to dishonor, accusations, and deaths. References to violence, sexual violence, and death by suicide are present.
Mysterious
Dark
Emotional
Melancholic
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Euripides' Hippolytus offers a compelling exploration of human emotions and divine interference, praised for its complex characters and intense drama. Critics highlight its powerful portrayal of honor and desire, though some argue the plot relies too heavily on coincidence and less on character development. Overall, it's a gripping tragedy with rich thematic depth.
Who Should Read Hippolytus?
A reader who would enjoy Hippolytus by Euripides is likely interested in Greek tragedy, complex characters, and themes of passion and divine intervention. Comparable to those who appreciate Sophocles' Antigone and Shakespeare's Hamlet, this audience values classic literature's exploration of morality and human emotion.
112
Play • Fiction
Troezen, Greece • Classical Antiquity
428
Adult
18+ years
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