"Phaedra" is a tragedy play written by the Roman philosopher and playwright Seneca, around the first century AD. The play is based on the mythological story of Phaedra, wife of King Theseus of Athens, who falls in love with her stepson Hippolytus. Phaedra's love is unrequited, and when Hippolytus rejects her advances, she is consumed by jealousy and despair. Phaedra's nurse, Oenone, tries to help her win Hippolytus' affections, but their efforts only lead to tragedy. The play explores themes of passion, desire, and fate, as the characters are consumed by their emotions and driven to acts of violence and self-destruction. Seneca's powerful and evocative language, combined with his skillful characterization and dramatic plotting, make "Phaedra" a masterpiece of ancient literature that continues to be studied and performed to this day. The play has inspired numerous adaptations and reinterpretations over the centuries, including works by Racine, Stravinsky, and Sarah Kane, among others.
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