Verse tragedy · c. AD 50

Phaedra

or Hippolytus

by Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Translated by Frank Justus Miller (1907)

Phaedra, wife of the absent Theseus, is consumed by a guilty passion for her stepson Hippolytus, an austere young huntsman who scorns love. Her nurse carries her secret to him and he recoils in horror. When Theseus unexpectedly returns, Phaedra accuses Hippolytus of attacking her. Theseus calls down a curse on his son, and a monster from the sea destroys him. Phaedra confesses the truth and kills herself.

Contents · 6 parts

• Persons of the Play6 lines
• Act Iabout 440 lines
• Act IIabout 630 lines
• Act IIIabout 200 lines
• Act IVabout 210 lines
• Act Vabout 170 lines

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