Phèdre - Character and Plot Vocabulary Study Guide

A comprehensive vocabulary and character study set based on Jean Racine's Phèdre, covering key figures, locations, and symbolic objects mentioned in the lecture transcript.

Hippolyte

The son of Thésée who is in love with Aricie and is falsely accused by Œnone of attempting to violate Phèdre.

Phèdre

The wife of Thésée who suffers from a forbidden passion for her stepson, Hippolyte, which she describes as a 'secret malady' and the vengeance of Venus.

Thésée

The King of Athens and father of Hippolyte who banishes his son based on false accusations before realizing the tragic truth.

Œnone

Phèdre's confidante who convinces Phèdre to live for her son and eventually masterminds the plan to frame Hippolyte to save Phèdre's reputation.

Aricie

A royal captive and sister of the Pallantides who is forbidden to love but enters a secret alliance and mutual love with Hippolyte.

Théramène

Hippolyte's tutor and companion who delivers the final report of Hippolyte's death following the encounter with the sea monster.

Trézène

The setting of the play where Hippolyte has been residing for six months prior to the opening scene.

Panope

A member of the court who brings news of Thésée's rumored death and later reports Phèdre's alarming condition in the final act.

Ismène

The confidante of Aricie who first suggests that Hippolyte may reciprocate Aricie's romantic feelings.

Neptune

The god whom Thésée calls upon to grant a prayer for the death of Hippolyte as divine justice.

The Sword

The object left behind by Hippolyte at the end of Act II that Œnone uses as fabricated evidence of his alleged assault on Phèdre.

Venus

The goddess whose vengeance Phèdre believes is the cause of her moral decline and destructive passion.

The Monster

A terrifying sea creature that emerges from the shore, causing Hippolyte's horses to panic and leading to his fatal chariot accident.

Poison

The method Phèdre uses to end her life before confessing the truth to Thésée in the final scene.