Hippolytus

Hippolytus (hih-POL-ih-tuhs), the son of Theseus and Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons, is a character marked by his dedication to the virgin goddess Artemis. His exclusive devotion incites the wrath of Aphrodite, the goddess of sexual love, who plots revenge by making Phaedra, his stepmother and Theseus' wife, fall desperately in love with him. Phaedra’s infatuation leads her to a state of despair and self-destructive behavior. When her nurse divulges Phaedra’s feelings to Hippolytus, despite having sworn him to secrecy, he responds with horror and a lack of empathy.

Phaedra's eventual suicide, driven by shame and Hippolytus’ perceived lack of compassion, further complicates his fate. Before her death, she leaves a damning note accusing Hippolytus of rape, resulting in his father, Theseus, invoking one of the infallible curses granted by Poseidon to call for his immediate death. He also imposes exile on his son. During their confrontation, Hippolytus's inability to exhibit warmth or understanding becomes evident once more. He is constrained by his vow of secrecy and resorts to a display of ostentatious purity, outlining his virtues: piety, seriousness, modesty, and chastity, rather than defending himself with tact or affection.

Hippolytus's upbringing contributes to his demeanor; his illegitimacy, his father's abandonment, and his shame over his mother have influenced his aloof nature. This revolt against passion has effectively cut him off from life. Tragically, as he prepares to leave the country, disaster strikes when a tidal wave delivers a bull to terrify his horses, leading to his critical wounding in a chariot accident. Once revealed to be innocent by Artemis, Hippolytus absolves Theseus of guilt for his death, allowing for a reconciliation between father and son.

Phaedra

Phaedra (FEE-druh), the wife of Theseus, becomes the instrument of Aphrodite’s vengeance against Hippolytus. Her introduction in the play finds her in the throes of despair, weakened by voluntary starvation and confusion. Her nurse extracts the confession of her forbidden love for Hippolytus, yet Phaedra fails to categorically prevent the nurse from taking action. After Hippolytus harshly rejects the nurse’s entreaty, Phaedra resolves to end her life to uphold her children's honor. Her desire for personal vengeance arises from Hippolytus's brutal reaction, and though she bears some guilt, she hopes her death will impart a lesson in modesty to him.

Theseus

Theseus (THEE-see-uhs), the king of Athens, is a figure dominated by his quick temper and susceptibility to jealousy. His impulsive nature blinds him to the possibility of innocence in his son, making him susceptible to Phaedra’s false accusation. He fails to seek a deeper understanding of the situation or to consider his son’s perspective, opting instead for a swift judgment. His attack on Hippolytus’s character is harsh and unjust, underscoring his principal flaw: an inclination toward undue haste.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite (a-froh-DI-tee), revered as the goddess of beauty and the patroness of love, opens the play with a prologue that outlines her scheme to punish Hippolytus for his devotion to Artemis. Throughout the drama, her influence is omnipresent, symbolizing the tumultuous forces at play that lend the narrative its universal significance.

Artemis

Artemis (AHR-teh-mihs), the chaste goddess of the hunt, holds a special place in Hippolytus’s devotions. At the play’s conclusion, she unveils his innocence to Theseus and vows to exact retribution on Aphrodite. Although not as explicitly personified as Aphrodite, Artemis embodies a form of beauty, and Hippolytus’s prayers to her reflect his ability to articulate emotions he cannot openly express towards Theseus or Phaedra.

The nurse

The nurse, a devoted servant to Phaedra, initially reacts with shock to Phaedra’s confession of love for Hippolytus. Despite her natural cynicism, she ultimately tries to dissuade Phaedra from suicide by encouraging her to succumb to her desires. In a bid to save Phaedra, she reveals the forbidden passion to Hippolytus, hoping to avert Phaedra’s death.

The Chorus

The Chorus consists of palace women who serve to announce the entrances of various characters throughout the play.

A servant of Hippolytus

A servant of Hippolytus attempts to chastise his master for not properly acknowledging Aphrodite's powers, inadvertently exposing Hippolytus’s disrespect toward the goddess.