Euripides works with a common story pattern a young
man (Hippolytus) becomes the object of a married woman's (Phaedra's)
desire, rebuffs her sexual overtures, and is then falsely accused
to the woman's husband (Theseus, Hippolytus' father) of rape.
To this familiar tale Euripides adds the story of divine vengeance
Aphrodite has brought about this passion in Phaedra in order
to punish Hippolytus for contemning her neglecting her realm of
sex and marriage. In working through these plots the play explores
the themes of passion and moderation, speech and silence, honour
and shame, and examines the relationship between gods and mortals.
This play holds a particular place in Euripidean studies, not
only because of its acknowledged excellence and influence, but
also because it allows the unique opportunity to observe the playwright's
'rewriting' of his earlier play on the same mythological topic,
remarkably replacing the brazen Phaedra of earlier legend and
previous treatments with a virtuous woman.
Michael R. Halleran is the author of Stagecraft in Euripides and The Heracles of Euripides: Translated with Introduction, Notes and Interpretative Essay in addition to many articles and reviews on Greek literature and culture. He is Chairman of the Classics Department at the University of Washington in Seattle.
272pp. (1995) cl 240 3 £35 / $59.99, pb 241 1 £16.50 / $28 (cl out of print)
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GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES INTRODUCTION TO HIPPOLYTUS A Note on the Text and Translation PARALLEL GREEK TEXT AND ENGLISH TRANSLATION COMMENTARY Index |
SOME COMMENTS BY REVIEWERS
"an excellent overview of critical issues ...
The commentary supplies a balanced range of information."
G & R
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See under EURIPIDES in this series.
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