Hippolytus Flashcards
Hippolytus
is the illegitimate son of King Theseus and Phaedra (stepmother to (blank)). He has been living and hunting in Troezen since his early childhood and worships Artemis, the chaste goddess of the hunt. Since he has made a chastity vow, he refuses to revere Aphrodite, the goddess of sexual desire. After (blank) hears that Phaedra is in love with him, he makes a misogynistic speech cursing women. Once Phaedra hangs herself and Theseus reads her letter and thinks (blank) raped her, Theseus curses his son to death or at least exile. He calls on his father Poseidon to grant him a curse, so Poseidon sends a sea monster as (blank) makes his exile, which scares (blank)s’ horses and makes them drag him across the rocks. (blank) dies.
Aphrodite
Goddess of love. Is angry at Hippolytus because he has sworn to chastity, and thus does not revere her. She causes Phaedra, his father’s (Theseus) wife, to fall in love with Hippolytus. Phaedra ends up killing herself, because people discover her love for Hippolytus, and the blame is cast on Hippolytus. Hippolytus is exiled by his father, but is killed in a chariot accident on the way out. Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, who Hippolytus revered, informs Theseus of the truth, that Hippolytus did not kill/rape Phaedra, and that it was Aphrodite’s fault. Artemis vows to punish (blank), by killing the next man she loves.
Phaedra
is Hippolytus’ stepmother who falls in love with Hippolytus due to Aphrodite’s spell. Realizing this love, (blank) starves herself so she can die with honor, knowing her and her stepson never had relations. She then hangs herself, leaving a letter that places the blame for her death on Hippolytus, but Theseus takes it to mean she she was raped by Hippolytus - which isn’t true.
Theseus
is the king of Athens. He is serving a year of voluntary exile after murdering a local king and his sons. He returns to find his wife committed suicide and believes that their son, Hippolytus, raped her (which is false). (blank) curses his son to death and calls upon his father, the god Poseidon, who promised him three curses. Theseus executes his son.
