J. Racine, "Phaedra": a short summary. "Phaedra" - a tragedy in five acts

The paraphrase of the work helps to quickly get acquainted with the text, understand what it is about, and learn its plot. Below is the tragedy, which in the 17th century was written by J. Racine - "Phaedra". The summary of the chapters (in this case, the acts) is a more detailed version of the text.

Jean Baptiste Racine (December 21, 1639 - April 21, 1699) is a writer, one of the key figures of the French dramaturgy of the seventeenth century. Known for his tragedies.

"Phaedra" - a tragedy in five acts, written in 1677. It is considered the best work of Racine.

For those who do not have time to read completely the work written by Jean Baptiste Racine ("Phaedra"), a brief summary of the actions and phenomena below.

List of actors

• Phaedra, the daughter of the Cretan king Minos and his wife Pasiphae. Married to Theseus, but in love with his son Hippolytus.
• Ippolit, the son of Theseus and the queen of the Amazons of Antioch.
• Theseus, the king of Athens, the son of Aegey. He was a companion of Hercules in his legendary exploits.
• Arica, the Athenian princess.
• Enon, the nurse Fedra, as well as her chief counselor.
• Ismena, the confidante of Princess Arikia.
• Panope, one of the servants of Phaedra, performing the role of messenger.
• Theraman, the teacher of Hippolytus.
• Guardian.

The action takes place in the city of Trebene.

Jean Racine, "Phaedra": a short summary. The conversation between Hippolytus and Teramen

So, the first action, the first phenomenon: the scene opens with a conversation between Hippolytus and Teramen. Ippolit informs his mentor of his intention to leave Troesen. The father of Hippolytus, the Atesian king of Theseus, is married to Phaedrus, the daughter of his former enemy, Minos, King of Crete. Theseus went to wander six months ago, and since then there has been no news from him, so Hippolytus decides to recover on his quest.

Theraman tries to convince Hippolytus. He thinks that Theseus does not want to be found. Hippolytus is adamant, because besides the sense of duty to the father, he also has his own personal reasons to leave the city: it seems to him that his stepmother Phaedra hates him. Now Phaedrus is very sick with an unknown disease and does not pose a danger to Hippolytus.

It also turns out that Hippolytus is in love with Arica, the daughter of the former ruler of Athens. Theraman is very happy for his pupil, but the whole problem is that Theseus banned Arikiia as the daughter of the overthrown tsar to marry and have children.

Phaedra says goodbye to life

The first action, phenomena 2-3: Enon enters. She reports that the queen has risen from her bed and wants to be alone in the fresh air. Men leave, and appears weakened by Phaedrus disease. From her monologue it becomes clear that she wants to die. Also, Phaedra turns to the sun, his mythical ancestor. According to her, she sees him for the last time.

Enona hears Phaedra, she is terrified. Enon was the wet-nurse of the queen and treats her like her own daughter. Now she is reproaching the woman for not wanting to share the cause of the illness with her confidante. Enona reminds Phaedra that, having died, the queen will leave two young sons to tear down her enemy Hippolytus. She reacts violently to the mention of the name of her stepson, but still wants to die. Phaedra talks about her fault, which leaves her no choice. What exactly is her fault, she hides, and this is extremely offensive to Enon. Such is the payment to her, the wet nurse, for all these years of devoted service?

Finally, Phaedra gives up: in fact, she is in love with Hippolytus, in love since the first time he saw him. This is what gnaws at her, that's what pushes her into the grave. Phaedra struggled with herself as she could, even tried to propitiate the goddess of love to Aphrodite, but nothing soothed her passion. It only remains to be outwardly rude to Hippolytus. She is afraid that one day she will stop controlling herself and disgrace her name. Therefore decides to die.

The news of the death of Theseus

The first action, the events of phenomena 4-5. The maid of Panope informs shocking news: Theseus has died. In the city of excitement, because you need to choose a new ruler. There are three candidates: Hippolytus, captive Arica and the elder son of Phaedra.

Enona tells Phaedra that the queen is now obligated to live, otherwise her son will perish. Hippolytus should inherit Thresen, while Athens rightfully belongs to the son of Phaedra. Phaedrus should meet with Hippolytus to persuade him to unite with her against Arica. The Queen and her wet-nurse know nothing about Hippolytus's true attitude towards the captive princess.

Jean Racine, "Phaedra": a short summary. Arikia and her maid

We propose to read the events of the action of the second, the phenomenon of the first. Arikia learns from Ismene's confidante that Theseus is no longer alive, and that the princess is not a prisoner from now on. Arikia is in no hurry to rejoice: she does not believe in the death of Theseus. She does not understand why Hippolytus should treat her softer than his father. Exceptions of a different opinion. She had sufficiently studied Hippolytus and had come to the conclusion that he loved Arica.

This is the most pleasant news for the princess of all. Arikia's life can not be called happy: after all six of her brothers fell in the battle of Theseus, she remained completely alone, surrounded by political enemies. She was forbidden to marry, which, however, did not care much for her. At least until the girl saw Hippolytus. Not for only one beauty Arica fell in love with him, but also for her spiritual traits. Hippolyte for her - Theseus, devoid of shortcomings. The vanished Athenian king was sadly famous as a great hunter before women, whereas Hippolytus is blameless and despises love.

And yet, Arabia is afraid that Ismen can make mistakes about Hippolytus' feelings.

Hippolytus of Arica

Let's consider the phenomena 2-4. Hippolyte enters and confirms the words of Ismen: Theseus is dead, and Ariki is now free. In addition, Athens chooses a new ruler. According to the ancient law, Hippolytus can not occupy the throne, because it was not born of an Hellenic, Arikia has all the rights. Hippolytus wants her to own the Athenian throne, while the man himself is ready to be content with Tresen. As for the elder son of Phaedra, he, according to the plan of his stepson, will become king of Crete. The son of Theseus is going to convince the people of Athens that the throne should be occupied by the princess.

Arabia can not believe in such nobility: it seems to her that she is in a dream. Then Hippolytus admits to her in love. At this moment enters Teramen. Phaedra sent him for Hippolytus: the princess wants to talk with her stepson alone. He refuses to go to her, but Arakia manages to convince him. Ippolit goes to a meeting with Fedra.

Recognition of Phaedra

The events of the second action of phenomena 4-6 are as follows. Phaedra is terribly worried about the conversation with Hippolytus - she forgot everything she wanted to say. Enona tries to calm her mistress.

When Hippolytus comes, Phaedra tells him about his anxiety about the future of her eldest son. She is afraid that Hippolytus will avenge him for the oppression inflicted on him by his stepmother. The stepson offends such suspicions. He would not be able to go on such a meanness. Phaedra admits that she wanted to expel Hippolytus and forbade her to say his name in her presence, but she did not do it out of hatred. She says that he could repeat all the exploits of Theseus and compare himself with Ariadna, and eventually Ippolit begins to seem that Phaedra takes him for Theseus. In the end, Phaedra confesses to him in love and asks Hippolyte to kill her. With these words, she snatches his sword.

Ippolit hears Teramen approaching, and runs away in horror. He does not dare to tell his mentor that terrible secret that he just revealed. Teramen, in turn, informs Ippolit of the latest news: the Athenians have chosen the new king, the son of Phaedra. Also, according to rumors, Theseus is still alive and is in Epirus.

The conspiracy of Phaedra and Enonas

Consider the third act, phenomena 1-3. Phaedra does not want power, does not want to be the queen of Athens, because her thoughts are quite different. She does not lose hope for a reciprocal feeling. In her opinion, someone must sooner or later awaken love in Hippolytus. Phaedra is ready to give him power over Athens.

Enon brings unexpected news: Theseus is alive and has already arrived in Tresen. Phaedra is terrified, for Hippolytus can at any moment give her out a secret. She again begins to see in death the only salvation, and only fear for the fate of her sons stops her.

Enon comes to the rescue: the nurse promises to slander Hippolytus in front of Theseus, informing him that it was his son who wanted Fedra. Stepmother has nothing left but to agree with the plan of Enona.

Theseus returns

In the phenomenon 4-6 appear Theseus, Hippolytus and Teramen. Theseus wants to embrace his wife warmly, but she rejects him. Phaedra tells her husband that she is unworthy of his love. With these words, she leaves, leaving her husband in perplexity. He asks Hippolytus, but the prince does not reveal the secret of Phaedra. He invites his father to ask his wife about this. In addition, Ippolit declares its intention to leave Trezen. He does not want to live under the same roof with Fedra and asks his father to let him go. Ippolit reminds his father that in his years Theseus has already killed many monsters and visited many places, while the young man himself has not even caught up with his mother.

Theseus does not understand what is happening. Is this how they should meet their husbands and fathers? His family is clearly hiding something from him. He leaves in the hope of getting explanations from Fedra.

Expulsion of Hippolytus

In the fourth act, Enon slanders Hippolytus, and Theseus believes her. He saw how his son was suspiciously embarrassed in his conversation with him. Theseus in anger. The only thing, he does not understand why Phaedra herself did not tell him the truth.

Theseus expels his son and turns to Poseidon himself with a request to punish Hippolytus. Poseidon promised to fulfill his first request, so he will not be able to refuse him.

Ippolit is so impressed by these accusations that he simply does not find the words. He only admits his love for Arikia, but his father does not believe him.

In the meantime, Phaedra is tormented with reproaches of conscience. She comes to Theseus and asks her husband to soften to Hippolytus. In the conversation, her husband mentions that his son is supposedly in love with Ariki. Phaedra, unlike her husband, believes in this and now feels insulted. For once the queen decides to die.

Decoupling

In the fifth act Hippolytus decides to flee, but before that marry Arica. These immediately come to these Ariki suddenly comes Theseus. Athenian king tries to convince her that Ippolit is a deceiver, and it was not worth listening to him. But Arikia is so zealously defending his son that Theseus begins to doubt. Does he know the whole truth?

Theseus decides to interrogate Enona, but she is no longer alive: the woman drowned after Phaedra drove her away. The queen herself is on the verge of insanity. Then Theseus decides to return his son and calls to Poseidon, so that he does not fulfill his request.

It is too late. Teramen reports that Ippolit died in a battle with a monster who attacked him from sea waters. Theseus can only blame the whole of Phaedrus. And she does not deny her guilt. She manages to tell her husband the whole truth before dying from her poison earlier.

Struck by grief, Theseus vows to honor Hippolytus' memory and continue to treat Arica as his own daughter.

This is the summary. "Phaedra" - one of the greatest plays, which is once read completely.