Hippolytus Lines Flashcards
Prologue (0-60)
Aphrodite explains the offences that Hippolytus has committed against her by revering Artemis. She will punish him with death, and use Phaedra as the catalyst. Shows Aphrodite as vindictive and terrifying. Gives inciting incident, exposition and introduction of characters at the same time.
60-169
Hippolytus enters with servants from the hunt. he praises artemis and offers tribute to her statue. he is warned he should pray to Aphrodite, but violently refuses. a chorus then laments phaedras sickness. audiences would perceive Hippolytus choices as perverse. the speculation of the chorus indicates belief that gods interfere with everyday life. it also shows how shocking the actual reason for her sickness is, with all the untrue outlandish things they are speculating.
170 - 564
phadra enters and raves at the servants in a fit of madness, revealing masculine desires. the chorus urges the nurse to reveal the problem, only when she supplicates her she succeeds. phaedra reveals her desire for hippolytus, and the nurse offers a cure, phaedra relents and takes the advice but makes the nurse swear to silence. the chorus makes an ode to the perils of love by using myth. P’s resistance to her sickness suggests she is a woman of morality and honour. the use of supplication despite the nurse having lower status.
565 - 789
Phaedra overhears the nurse tell Hippolytus she loves him, and his furious anti-woman response where he boasts his piousness, the nurse makes him swear to silence. The nurse admits wrong but its too late, the chorus laments phaedras life. when they find her body they are unsure whether they should cut her loose. H is portrayed as a negative characer who does not fully understand his familial or religious obligations. by killing herself phaedra has preserved her honour, to uphold her status she is willing to take her life.
780 - 902
Theseus returns from the oracle with good news, but is met by his wifes death. He is despairing over why she committed suicide so suddenly, finds her note condemming hippolytus. this scene functions as a bridge between two major parts of the play, phaedras desire and death, followed by Hippolytus trial and death. the chorus also refuse to break her oath of silence - they doom hippolytus by not speaking when he most needs support.
902 - 1153
confrontation btn father and son. Hippolytus does not break his oath and uses his piousness and virginity as his defence. Theseus calls on a favour from his father Poseidon to strike down H. theseus refuses to listen and hold trial and exiles him. H is in an impossible situation, he cannot defend himself without breaking his oath. he upholds his honour and does not break his oath which to an extent redeems him. H is being judged on who he is rather than what he has done.
1154 - 1280
a servant relates the events which lead to hippolytus death. while leaving a giant sea bull rose up and drove his chariot over rocks where he mangled for some time. he is still alive, but dying. Theseus is pleased but does not rejoice because H is still his son. Poseidon did this out of love for his son, suggesting that Theseus has violated his role as father, and should have shown the same respect to H that his father showed. the detail of his death increases the pity felt to him, and will create greater catharsis considering the brutality of his death.
(epilogue) 1281 - 1468
artemis enters and tells T his wrongs, and the truth of Phaedras death. Theseus may be pardoned bc Aphrodite is the cause. H enters and artemis aliviates his pain by praising his loyalty. H obeys the god and forgives his father, the play ends with their relationship ammended as he dies. Deus ex machina provides a conveniant solution to something that would be unresolved. expectations of the play given by Aphrodite have been satisfied. Because hippolytus has won there is greater catharsis.
