Hippolytus: Lines 1369-1727 Summary & Analysis

Hippolytus enters, rushing to answer his father’s shouting without knowing that he is accused of rape. When he demands to know what’s happened, Theseus speaks only in obscure terms – he wishes, for example, that men had an ability to tell which friends were true and which were deceitful. Hippolytus grows suspicious that Theseus has referred to him, and insists that he is blameless and true. Finally, after further deflection, Theseus narrows his general comments about man’s wickedness onto Hippolytus himself, and offers Phaidra’s dead body as proof to Hippolytus that he has raped her.

In response, Hippolytus buries his head in his cloak, but Theseus tells him to look up. To Hippolytus’ face, then, he launches into a long accusation. He claims that Hippolytus has long been a member of orgiastic cults, given over to sexuality and desire, even while he tried to hide it. He imagines and refutes any argument that Hippolytus might use ahead of time. Would Phaidra commit suicide and frame Hippolytus just because she hated him as a bastard son and a reminder of Theseus’ adultery? Could Hippolytus argue that only women are vulnerable to desire? Certainly not. Instead, Phaidra’s dead body serves as unassailable proof. At the end of the accusation, Theseus demands that Hippolytus leave Troizen and forbids him from going Athens. His own reputation, Theseus says, depends on enforcing punishment.

The Koryphaios moans that everything is lost. Then, Hippolytus embarks on a long defense. He begins by saying that he is ill-suited for public debate and criminal trial, but will try nevertheless. As his central defense, he describes his own character. Theseus ought to know, he says, that he has always been honest, respected the gods, and kept a circle of upstanding friends. Nor has he ever had any sexual relationship with a woman, and he even avoids descriptions and pictures of sex, preferring a “calm and pure” inner life. Since he sees that this sort of talk isn’t convincing Theseus, he makes further points: that Phaidra was not so attractive as to motivate such a crime, and that it would have been absurd to commit the crime as a political move, since Hippolytus prefers athletic competition and relaxation to political life.

As he finishes his defense, Hippolytus wishes that some witness had seen his behavior of the previous hours, or that Phaidra had not yet died. He swears to Zeus that he never touched Phaidra, nor even thought of it. But in the end, he admits that he is not allowed to say what drove Phaidra to kill herself, even though it would help clear the charge, referencing his oath to the nurse. The Koryphaios comments that Hippolytus’ swearing to Zeus feels convincing. Nonetheless, it does not move Theseus.

After their two long speeches, Theseus and Hippolytus continue to debate in a more rapid-fire style. When Hippolytus says that Theseus should have him killed, not merely exiled, Theseus promises that his exile, far from any familiar place or person, will be more excruciating than death. When Hippolytus urges Theseus to wait while time clears up the facts of the case, Theseus says that his hatred is so great, he would drive Hippolytus past the edge of the world if he could. And when Hippolytus asks for a fairer trial, Theseus says that the tablet provides proof enough. To himself, Hippolytus considers breaking his oath of silence in order to save his own life. But he cannot bring himself to break the oath, and doubts that it would persuade Theseus if he did so.

Growing impatient, Theseus shouts and commands Hippolytus to leave at once. When Hippolytus complains that nobody will accept him after rumors of his crime spreads, Theseus replies that he will find welcome company among other sexual predators, a remark that cuts Hippolytus deeply. Hippolytus calls on the house itself as a witness, but Theseus says that such a crime needs no witness at all to confirm its truth. At last, Theseus orders Hippolytus gone. As Hippolytus exits, he utters a goodbye prayer to Artemis and asks his friends to accompany him to the edge of the country.