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42 pages 1 hour read

Hippolytus

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 428

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Book Brief

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Euripides

Hippolytus

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 428
Book Details
Pages

112

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Troezen, Greece • Classical Antiquity

Publication Year

428

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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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

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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 this

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.

Character List

Hippolytus

The son of Theseus and a former Amazon, known for his devout worship of the goddess Artemis and his rejection of romantic and sexual pursuits in favor of hunting and virtue.

The wife of Theseus and stepmother of Hippolytus, who struggles with her feelings and emotions regarding her stepson.

The king of Athens and father of Hippolytus, who experiences emotional turmoil and rapid changes in judgment.

The elderly servant of Phaedra, known for her protective nature and her pragmatism in navigating Phaedra's emotional turmoil.

A group of women from Troezen who observe and reflect on the events of the play, providing moral and emotional commentary.

The goddess of love and sexuality, appearing at the start of the play to set the scene and express her displeasure with Hippolytus.

The goddess of nature and hunting, who is worshiped by Hippolytus and appears at the conclusion of the play.

Book Details
Pages

112

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Troezen, Greece • Classical Antiquity

Publication Year

428

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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