Euripides' Hippolytus: A Comprehensive Study Guide

Euripides' Hippolytus is a classic Greek tragedy that explores the themes of love, lust, and the destructive power of the gods. First performed in 428 BCE, the play remains a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature today.

This study guide provides a comprehensive overview of Hippolytus, including:

• A detailed plot summary
• In-depth character analyses
• An exploration of the play's themes and historical context
• A list of discussion questions
• A bibliography of resources for further study

Hippolytus is set in the city of Troezen, where the young prince Hippolytus has dedicated his life to the goddess Artemis. He has sworn off all other forms of love, including the love of women.

Study Guide for Euripides's Hippolytus (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Course Hero

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3462 KB
Print length	:	26 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Mass Market Paperback	:	192 pages
Reading age	:	8 - 12 years
Lexile measure	:	990L
Grade level	:	3 - 7
Item Weight	:	4.2 ounces
Dimensions	:	4.25 x 0.49 x 6.88 inches
Screen Reader	:	Supported

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One day, Phaedra, the wife of Hippolytus' father, Theseus, arrives in Troezen. Phaedra has a secret love for Hippolytus, but she knows that he will never return her affection. Consumed by her passion, she confides in her nurse, who then tells Hippolytus about Phaedra's love.

Horrified, Hippolytus rejects Phaedra's advances. In a fit of rage, Phaedra accuses Hippolytus of rape. Theseus, believing his wife's lies, curses Hippolytus and prays to Poseidon to kill his son.

Poseidon sends a sea monster to destroy Hippolytus, who is thrown from his chariot and dragged to his death. As Hippolytus dies, Artemis appears and reveals the truth of Phaedra's accusation. Phaedra, consumed by guilt, kills herself.

Hippolytus:

Hippolytus is a complex and tragic figure. He is a devout follower of Artemis and has dedicated his life to chastity. However, he is also a victim of Aphrodite's wrath, who punishes him for his rejection of love.

Phaedra:

Phaedra is a passionate and conflicted character. She is deeply in love with Hippolytus, but she knows that her love is forbidden. Consumed by her desire, she makes a false accusation against Hippolytus, which leads to his death.

Theseus:

Theseus is a powerful and impulsive king. He is quick to believe Phaedra's lies and curses his son without giving him a chance to defend himself. His actions ultimately lead to the tragedy of Hippolytus' death.

Love and Lust:

Hippolytus is a play about the destructive power of love and lust. Phaedra's love for Hippolytus is a forbidden and destructive passion that leads to her own downfall and the death of Hippolytus.

The Power of the Gods:

The gods play a significant role in Hippolytus. Aphrodite punishes Hippolytus for his rejection of love, while Artemis protects him and reveals the truth of Phaedra's accusation. The play explores the ways in which the gods can both help and hinder humans.

The Dangers of Blind Faith:

Theseus is a tragic figure because he is too quick to believe Phaedra's lies and curse his son without giving him a chance to defend himself. The play warns against the dangers of blind faith and the importance of questioning authority.

Hippolytus was written during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE),a time of great political and social upheaval in Greece. The play reflects the anxieties and fears of the Athenian people during this time.

The play also draws on the myth of Hippolytus, which was well-known to Athenian audiences. Euripides' version of the myth is a unique and tragic interpretation of the story.

• What are the different types of love represented in Hippolytus?
• How does Phaedra's character challenge traditional gender roles?
• What is the significance of the gods in Hippolytus?
• How does Hippolytus reflect the anxieties and fears of the Athenian people during the Peloponnesian War?
• What are the lessons that we can learn from Hippolytus today?

• Euripides. Hippolytus. Translated by David Grene. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1957.
• Zeitlin, Froma I. Playing the Other: Gender and Society in Classical Greek Literature. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996.
• Goldhill, Simon. Reading Greek Tragedy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1986.

Study Guide for Euripides's Hippolytus (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Course Hero

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3462 KB
Print length	:	26 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Mass Market Paperback	:	192 pages
Reading age	:	8 - 12 years
Lexile measure	:	990L
Grade level	:	3 - 7
Item Weight	:	4.2 ounces
Dimensions	:	4.25 x 0.49 x 6.88 inches
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE