35 pages 1 hour read

Seneca

Phaedra

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 54

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Phaedra, one of the 10 surviving tragedies attributed to Lucius Annaeus Seneca, recounts Phaedra's consuming and unrequited desire for her stepson Hippolytus, which incites a series of tragic misunderstandings and events. The play delves into themes such as the destructiveness of passion, the interplay of heredity and fate, and the conflict between sexes, loosely based on Euripides's earlier work, "Hippolytus." The source material features violence, sexual misconduct, and suicide.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Seneca’s Phaedra has received mixed reviews. Critics praise its intense emotional depth and complex character portrayals, highlighting Seneca's skilful exploration of themes like passion and guilt. However, some find the melodramatic elements and verbose dialogue detract from the overall impact. Despite this, it remains a powerful adaptation of the classic myth.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Phaedra?

A reader who would enjoy Phaedra by Seneca likely appreciates classical literature, tragic drama, and intricate character studies. Similar to readers of Euripides' Hippolytus and Shakespeare's Hamlet, they are drawn to themes of passion, fate, and moral conflict.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Play: Tragedy

Mythology

Drama / Tragedy

Period

Classical Period

Ancient Rome

Topics

Education

Philosophy