Phaedra is a play written by Jean Baptiste Racine, a French dramatist, in 1677. The play is based on Greek mythology and tells the story of Phaedra, the wife of Theseus, the king of Athens. Phaedra falls in love with her stepson, Hippolytus, and struggles to control her feelings. She eventually confesses her love to Hippolytus, who rejects her advances. Phaedra is devastated and, in a fit of rage and desperation, accuses Hippolytus of attempting to rape her. Theseus, upon hearing this accusation, banishes Hippolytus and calls upon the gods to punish him. The play explores themes of love, desire, jealousy, and revenge, and is considered one of Racine's greatest works.PHAEDRA Ah! Let them take elsewhere the worthless honours They bring me. Why so urgent I should see them? What flattering balm can soothe my wounded heart? Far rather hide me: I have said too much. My madness has burst forth like streams in flood.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.