Hippolytus+Plot+Summary

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__The plot, a synopsis__:
The play, Hippolytus, takes place in Troezen, a costal town near to Athens. Theseus is spending his time in Troezen as a voluntary exile to atfor his killings. His stepwife, Phaedra, and his illegitimate son Hippolytus both join him in this story. Hippolytus, being Theseus’ illegitimate son, has been raised and trained in Troezen since childhood.

At the beginning of the play Aphrodite, a goddess (particularly the one associated with love) appears and mentions how Hippolytus, having sworn chastity, honours Artemis instead, and how she plans to punish Hippolytus for scorning women and, thus, her as well. This plan, incidentally, revolves around Pheadra, Hippolytus’ stepmother, of which Aphrodite has charmed into falling in love with Hippolytus. This charming proves to be the pivotal issue which drives the play’s plot.

Hippolytus, following Aphrodites’ explanation of her revenge, appears in a temple showing reverence to a statue of Artemis, who happens to also represent chastity. He is then approached by a servant who warns him not to displease Aphrodite, but the servant is ignored. This first scene reveals that Hippolytus is not at all interested in women and is quite ignorant of his impending fate. Also, his seeming disdain for Aphrodites hints, though does not justify, that Aphrodites’ revenge is reasonable.

The chorus, a common tool for greek playwrights, consists of the married women of Troezen. They enter the play following the temple scene, describing how Phaedra does not seem to be eating or sleeping. Phaedra’s nurse manages to wrangle from her the fact that she has fallen in love for Hippolytus, and Phaedra explains that that is the cause for her fasting as she desires to die with honor. The nurse, believing that the issue can be resolved, lies to Phaedra and tells her she can be cured with some unknown medicine. She then proceeds to tell Hippolytus about Phaedra and her love for him. After telling Hippolytus she makes him swear to tell no one no matter what about what she has said. Hippolytus then remarks angrily about his disdain for the nature of women, partially revealing why he has chosen a life of chastity, and further revealing why Aphrodites wants to exact revenge upon him. Phaedra, understanding that Hippolytus now knows, believes herself to be doomed to ridicule and such and so she commits suicide. Before she does so, she makes the Chorus swear secrecy regarding her death. Thus, she dooms Hippolytus, though he is unaware.

In the next scene, Theseus returns only to find his wife dead with a letter on her body explaining that she had committed suicide because Hippolytus raped her. The chorus, being bound by their pact with Phaedra, cannot tell him the truth. Hippolytus appears, and though he seems quite innocent in his demeanor Theseus immediately questions him about the alleged crime. Hippolytus, being true to his word, holds his tongue and does not tell Theseus what he knows, only that he is innocent. Theseus, believing the letter to be the truth, curses Hippolytus using one of the three curses which his father Poseidon (the god of water, ocean, sea) has promised him and then exiles him. After the chorus sing a lament to Hippolytus’ fate, a messenger enters the scene and tells Theseus that Hippolytus is dying due to a accident wherein a bull scared the horses of his chariot which ended up dragging him about. The messenger, pitying Hippolytus, tries to sue pardon for him saying that he is innocent, but Theseus refuses to believe and is quite happy with the turn of events.

Suddenly, Artemis appears Theseus and tells him the truth of the situation. She lays partial blame on Theseus for cursing his son, but understands that the main faults lays with Aphrodite. She promises justice by saying she will kill one of Aphrodites’ favorite humans. Hippolytus is then carried in to a remorseful Theseus, and though Hippolytus was obviously wronged he forgives Theseus and does not lay the blame of his death upon him. Thus, the play of Hippolytus ends.

__The plot, short notes__:
-Story revolves around Aphrodites' plan for revenge via Phaedra, Hippolytus' mother. Aphrodite desires vengance on Hippolytus for scorning women, and thus her.

-Phaedra is charmed into loving Hippolytus two years before the play's settings

-Story begins with Phaedra explaining that she has fallen in love with Hippolytus, her step son, and plans to commit suicide so she can die with honor

-Phaedra's nurse explains the situation to Hippolytus, which causes Phaedra to panic when she discovers he knows. Phaedra proceeds to hatch a plan to insure she retains honor.

-Theseus returns to the scene and finds his wife dead. He also finds a letter on her body written by her which explains that she has committed suicide because Hippolytus raped her.

-The chorus and Hippolytus are bound by an oath not to speak of Phaedra's love, and thus cannot tell Theseus what has occurred.

-Theseus curses and exiles Hippolytus. Hippolytus then falls to the curse in an accident with his horses.

-Artemis appears and explains what has happened to Theseus. Hippolytus absolves Theseus of blame with his dying breaths.

__The plot, A comic:__
Only, it isn't actually Artemis at the beginning, it's Aphrodite.