Study guide prepared by the students of John Marshall Gifted, Highly Gifted,High Ability Magnet

Hippolytus, by EuripidesCell 1

Quote: Hippolytus: Come, fellow friends, singing to Artemis, daughter ofZeus, throned in the sky, whose votaries we are. Attendants: Lady goddess, awful queen, daughter of Zeus all hail! …All hail! Most beauteous Artemis, lovelier than all the daughters ofOlympus!;p Summary: Hippolytus and his servants return from a successful huntand praise the goddess of the hunt, Artemis.

Questions:1. Which goddess are the attendants praising?2. Do you think it’s right to hunt animals for food? Why?3. Do you think that Artemis will favor Hippolytus later on in the

play for his devotion to her?4. What is meant when the attendants say “all the daughters of

Olympus “?a) all of the foothills of Mt. Olympusb) all of the Greek Goddesses

c) all of the girls of Athensd) the daughters of someone named Olympus

Cell 2

Quote: Leader: Cypris I mean, whose image is stationed oe’r thy gate. Hippolytus: I greet her from afar, preserving still my chasity. Leader: Yet she is an August goddess, far renowned on earth. Hippolytus: Mo’ngst gods as well as men we have our severalpreferences. Leader: I wish the luck and wisdom too, as far as thou dost need it. Hippolytus: No god whose worship craves the night has charm overme.

Summary: The leader of the attendants tells Hippolytus that heshould worship Aphrodite (Cypris), the goddess of love, as well asArtemis, especially since he has a statue of her over his gate.Hippolytus says that he does not need love, much less a goddess oflove.

Questions:1. Which god(des) is Hippolytus neglecting to worship?

2. Hippolytus does not care about love. Do you think that love is animportant human emotion that shouldn’t be ignored?

3. Do you think that Aphrodite will punish Hippolytus for ignoringher and love?

4. What does “Chasity” most nearly mean?a) youthb) virginityc) loved) happiness

Cell 3

Quote: Leader: Meantime, I with sober mind, for I must not copy my youngmaster, dolady cypris in such words as it becomes a slave to use. Butthou should’st pardon all, who, in youth’s impetuous heat, speak idlewords of thee.

Summary: The leader of attendants prays to Aphrodite and asks forHippolytus’s forgiveness.

Questions:1. Who prays to Aphrodite?2. Do you think there is one god, no god or many, like those of

Ancient Greece?3. Do you think that the leader’s praying will have a profound impact

on aphrodite’s feelings towards Hippolytus later in the play?4. What does the word “sober” most nearly mean?

a) happyb) handsomec) super-humand) pure

Cell 4

Quote: Epode: Yea, and oft o’er woman’s wayward nature settles a feelingof miserable helplessness arising from pains of child birth or ofpassionate desire. Look! Where the aged nurse is bringing her fourthfrom the house before the door. My soul longs to know her grief, thecanker that is wasting our queen’s fading charm.

Summary: The chorus explains that Phadea is in some sort of painthat is not yet evident, as a nurse is helping her out of her house.

Questions:1. What is ailing Phadea?2. Do you think it unfair that only women and not men have to go

through childbirth?3. Do you think that Phadea really might be pregnant?4. what does the word “canker” most nearly mean?

a) pain

b) Chinese foodc) Fired) woman

Cell 5

Quote: Phadea: Ah! Would I could draw a draught of water pure from somedew-fed spring, and lay me down to rest in the grassy meadow ‘neaththe poplar’s shade. Nurse: My child, what wild speech is this? O say not such things inpublic, wild words frenzy bred.

Summary: Phadea is sick and she seems to be babbling nonsense forno apparent reason, perhaps she is about to pass out from the painand just begins to speak randomly in a semi-conscious state. Thenurse, of course, is in a perfectly conscious state and does notunderstand why Phadea is going is talking about meadows, springs,and poplar trees.

Questions:1. From the quote, who can you infer is going insane?2. Do you think that insane people should be treated with the

same respect in which you would treat someone who is sane?

3. Can you compare the way the nurse treated Phadea to that ofRonald Reagan towards the general American mentally illpopulation during his term?

4. What does the phrase “dew-fed spring” most nearly mean?a) a dog named spring who got fed mountain dewb) an underground source of water supplied with dewc) a spring season that year which had an above average

amount of precipitationd) a man named Dew who fed another man named Spring

Cell 1

QuoteLEADER OF THE CHORUS speaking: O aged dame, faithful nurse ofPhaedra, our queen, we see her sorry plight; but what it is that ailsher we cannot discern, so fain would learn of thee and hear thyopinion.NURSE: I question her, but am no wiser, for she will not answer.

SummaryPhaedra lies back down on a couch. The Leader of the Chorus and theNurse ponder what is wrong with her while she lies in silence; shehasn’t eaten for three days (in attempt to die), hides her sorrow fromher husband Theseus, and will not tell the Nurse what is wrong despiteher zeal in trying to find out.

What does the word ails as in the quote above most nearly mean?(Vocabulary)a. To cause to drink aleb. To cause physical or mental pain or uneasinessc. To make angry

When the Leader of the Chorus spoke, what literary device was used?(Extended Literary Devices)a. Chorusb. Argotc. Ballad

What does “The same answer thou must take, for she is dumb onevery point” mean? (Comprehension)

What do you think is bothering Phaedra so much? (Predictive)

Cell 2

QuoteNURSE: Well, grow more stubborn than the sea, yet be assured ofthis, that if thou diest thou art a traitress to thy children, for they willne'er inherit their father's halls, nay, by that knightly queen theAmazon who bore a son to lord it over thine, a bastard born but not abastard bred, whom well thou knowest, e'en Hippolytus-At the mention of his name PHAEDRA'S attention is suddenly caught.PHAEDRA: Oh! oh!

SummaryThe Nurse tries again to coax an answer from Phaedra in vain, untilshe mentions Hippolytus. At this, Phaedra startles with an “Oh! oh!”There is a dialogue between the Nurse and Phaedra with the mainpoints being: Phaedra admits she has sinned very horribly, Phaedra isin love (apart from Theseus), and that love is towards her step-son,Hippolytus.

What literary device is used in “Well, grow more stubborn than thesea”? (Literary)a. Simileb. Metaphorc. Oxymoron

What is a sequence of rapid-fire question and answer as between theNurse and Phaedra called? (Extended Literary Devices)Daughter, are thy hands from bloodshed pure?My hands are pure, but on my soul there rests a stain.The issue of some enemy's secret witchery?A friend is my destroyer, one unwilling as myself.Hath Theseus wronged thee in any wise?Never may I prove untrue to him!

Then what strange mystery is there that drives thee on to die?O, let my sin and me alone, 'tis not 'gainst thee I sin.

Is it acceptable to fall in love with a close family member? (Ethical)

How will the Nurse and Chorus respond to this dark revelation ofPhaedra? (Predictive)

Cell 3

QuoteNURSE: O heavens! what is this, my child? Thou hast ruined me.Outrageous! friends; I will not live and bear it; hateful is life, hateful tomine eyes the light…CHORUS chanting: O, too clearly didst thou hear our queen uplift hervoice to tell her startling tale of piteous suffering. Come death ere Ireach thy state of feeling, loved mistress. O horrible! woe, for thesemiseries! woe, for the sorrows on which mortals feed! Thou artundone! thou hast disclosed thy sin to heaven's light…

Summary The Nurse outrageously responds that she is ruined and will killherself and that Phaedra and the rest of their family is ruined. TheChorus laments how Phaedra is undone because her sin has beendisclosed to heaven and a strange event will happen in the housebecause it’s uncertain where Phaedra’s love will rest with (Hippolytusor Theseus).

In “Come death ere I reach thy state of feeling,” what does ere mostnearly mean? (Vocabulary)a. Afterb. Duringc. Before

What does “For it is no longer certain where the star of thy love issetting” mean? (Comprehension)

Is it wise to condemn a close friend upon hearing something aboutthem that is horrible (morally, etc.)? (Ethical)

How will Phaedra respond to such judgmental statements from theNurse and the Chorus? (Predictive)

Cell 4

QuotePHAEDRA: This it is that calls on me to die, kind friends, that so I mayne'er be found to have disgraced my lord, or the children I haveborne; no! may they grow up and dwell in glorious Athens, free tospeak and act, heirs to such fair fame as a mother can bequeath. Forto know that father or mother has sinned doth turn the stoutest heartto slavishness. This alone, men say, can stand the buffets of life'sbattle, a just and virtuous soul in whomsoever found. For timeunmasks the villain soon or late, holding up to them a mirror as tosome blooming maid. 'Mongst such may I be never seen!

SummaryPhaedra responds with a long speech –She tried to bear and dispose of her love of Hippolytus bya. Hiding her love.b. Enduring her thoughts of love by self-restraint in order to rid herself

of them.c. When a and b failed, she decided to die (an honorable escape).Dying is justifiable becausea. She is appalled at the idea of disgracing her husband and children.b. If her children found out her sin, they would be enslaved to the

knowledge of it.c. The common people would look up to her, the queen, and she her

bad example.d. Time would find out her sin even if she hid it perfectly.

What does “For to know that father or mother has sinned doth turn thestoutest heart to slavishness” mean, and how would it apply to you?(Comprehension)

Is suicide acceptable when used to escape seemingly inescapabletroubles? (Ethical)

Just as the commoners look up to Phaedra, do the citizens of Americalook up to the President? (Associative)

How will the Nurse and Chorus respond to Phaedra’s well reasoned andthought out response? (Predictive)

Cell 5

QuoteLEADER OF THE CHORUS: Now look! how fair is chastity howeverviewed, whose fruit is good repute amongst men.NURSE: My queen, 'tis true thy tale of woe, but lately told, did for themoment strike me with wild alarm, but now I do reflect upon myfoolishness; second thoughts are often best even with men.

Summary The Nurse and the Leader of the Chorus withdraw their harshjudgements on Phaedra upon hearing how honorable her course ofactions are. The Leader of the Chorus acknowledges her chastity andthe Nurse becomes of a fountain of counsel and kind words.

In “how fair is chastity however viewed,” what does chastity mostnearly mean? (Vocabulary)a. Lewdnessb. Morality with respect to sexual relationsc. Disregard for sexual relations

What can be implied from “thou art stricken by the passion Cyprissends” and does this mean that the love Phaedra feels towardsHippolytus is her fault? (Comprehensive)

The Nurse says “…if thou hast more of good than bad, thou wilt fareexceedingly well, they human nature considered.” Does this sameadvice apply today? (Associative)

What type of advice will the Nurse give to Phaedra? (Predictive)

Cell #1

QuoteNurse If thou fear this, confess thyself afraid of all; but why thyterror!Phaedra Lest thou shouldst breathe a word of this to Theseus’ son

SummaryHere Phaedra is telling the Nurse not to speak a word about herfeelings towards Hippolytus. Phaedra is scared that her husband mightfind out about her feelings towards his son.

QuestionsWhat do you think will happen if Theseus finds out?Would you trust a nurse with a secret?Who does Phaedra have feelings for?What is the nurse asking when she says “why thy terror?"

I won’t tellI promise

You better notsay anythingNurse Phaedra

Cell #2

QuotePhaedra I am undone. Stand here at the door and hear the noisearising in the house.Phaedra ‘Tis the son of the horse-loving Amazon who calls,Hippolytus, uttering foul curses on my servant.Chorus (chanting) I hear noise but cannot dearly tell which way itcomes. AH! ‘Tis through the door sound reached thee.

SummaryPhaedra hears a noise but doesn’t know where it is coming from. Shesees a door and hears her nurse and Hippolytus arguing. So shedecides to listen into the argument.

QuestionWhat could the nurse and Hippolytus be arguing about?Why is Phaedra worried that the nurse and Hippolytus are talking?What does Phaedra mean when she says “I am undone?"If you were Phaedra would you just stand outside the door listening tothe conversation?

Phaedra

Cell #3

Chorus (Chanting) Woe, woe is me! Thou art betrayed, dear mistress!What counsel shall I give thee? Thy secret is out; thou art utterlyundone.Chorus (Chanting) Betrayed by friends!Phaedra She hath ruined me by speaking of my misfortune; ‘twaskindly meant, but an ill way to cure my maladySummaryHere Phaedra has realized that the nurse has told Hippolytus about hersecret, which she dearly trusted her with.

QuestionsDo you think Phaedra will be able to trust the nurse after this incident?What conscience will the nurse have for her doings?What does malady mean?

A. DiseaseB. PlagueC. HeartD. Hand

Ohhhh no shedidn’t it is ongirlfriend

Phaedra

Cell#4

QuoteHippolytus O mother earth! O sun’s unclouded orb! What words, unfitfor any lips, have reached my ears!Nurse Peace, my son, lest some one hear thy outcry.Hippolytus I cannot hear such awful words and hold my peace.

SummaryAfter hearing about Phaedra’s secret Hippolytus is outraged. He can’tbelieve what he ahs heard and is screaming it out. Meanwhile thenurse is trying to calm him down because she is afraid that someonemight hear him.

QuestionsWho might hear Hippolytus that the nurse is worried about?Why is Hippolytus mad?What would you do if you were Hippolytus?What does unclouded mean?

A. SunnyB. BrightC. Not cloudedD. All of the above

WHY

SHUTUP

Hippolytus

Nurse

Cell#5

QuotePHAEDRA Accursed woman! traitress to thy friends! How hast thouruined me! May Zeus, my ancestor, smite thee with his fiery bolt anduproot thee from thy place. Did I not foresee thy purpose, did I not bidthee keep silence on the very matter which is now my shame? Butthou wouldst not be still; wherefore my fair name will not go with meto the tomb. But now I must another scheme devise. Yon youth, in thekeenness of his fury, will tell his father of my sin, and the agedPittheus of my state and fill the world with stories to my shame.Perdition seize thee and every meddling fool who by dishonest meanswould serve unwilling friends!

SummaryPhaedra is talking to the nurse and asking her why did she betray her.She wants zeus to strike the nurse with a lighting bolt. She regretstelling the nurse and is worried that Hippolytus will tell his father ofwhat he has heard. She doesn’t want her reputation to go down inburning flames.

QuestionsWho betrayed whom?Why is Phaedra worried about her reputation?What would you like to happen to a person who betrayed you?

It hurts

What does the word Perdition mean?A. To ask for forgivenessB. To killC. To lose your soulD. To kiss

CELL#1

Quote:Nurse: Help! Ho! To the rescue all who near the palace stand! Shehath hung herself, out, queen, the wife of Theseus.

Leader of the Chorus: Woe worth the day! The dead is done; our royalmistress is no more, dead she hangs in the dangling noose.

Summary: The nurse rushes out of the palace and looks for help forthe queen had hung herself.

Questions:1) What news did the nurse bring?

2) What might be the reason for the queen to commit such action?

3) How does the nurse feel about the queen’s death?

4) What quote explains how the queen dies?a) ‘The deed is done!’b) ‘Our royal mistress is no more!’c) ‘Death she hangs in the dangling noose’d) ‘To the rescue all who near the palace’

CELL#2

QuoteNurse: Haste! Some one bring a two-edged knife wherewith to cut theknot about her neck.

First semi-chorus: Friends, what shall we do? Think you we shouldenter the house, and loose the queen from the tight-drawn noose?

Second semi-chorus: Why should we? Are there not young servantshere? To do too much is not a safe course in life.

Summary: The nurse tells the people in the chorus to hand her a knifeand help the queen. But one of the chorus refuses to help because itwasn’t their responsibility.

Questions1) What object was the nurse asking for?

2) Why did she ask for it?

3) Do you think the queen will survive after the noose is released?

4) Was it right for the second semi-chorus person to refuse the nurse?

CELL#3

QuoteNurse: Lay out, the hapless corpse, straighten the limbs. This was abitter way to sit at home and keep my master’s house!

Leader of the Chorus: She is dead, poor lady ‘tis this I hear. Alreadyare they laying out the corpse.

Summary: The nurse goes back in the palace and demands the leaderof the chorus to put the queen’s body down.

Questions1) What did the nurse tell the leader of the chorus to do?

2) Do you think the queen will come back to life if her body was off thenoose?

3) How do you think Theseus will react toward this?

4) What does the word hapless mean?a) Strongb) Unlucky/weakc) Rottend) Happy

CELL#4

Quote Theseus: Women, can ye tell what the uproar in the palace means?

There came the sound of servants weeping bitterly to mine ear noneof my household deign to open wide the gates and give me gladwelcome as traveler from prophetic shrines hath aught befallen oldPittheus? No, though he be well advanced in years, yet should Imourn, were he to quit this house.

Leader: ‘Tis not against the old, Theseus that fate, to strike thee, aimsthis blow: prepare thy sorrow for a younger corpse.

Summary: Theseus enters and asks what is going on. For he hadheard weeping sounds of the servants. The leader tells him to prepareto be sad because someone had died.

Questions1) Who enters and asks what’s happening?

2) How do you think he will react?

3) What will happen if he found out his wife was dead?

4) Theseus does not know that his wife is dead. What literary device isused in this part of the scene?

a) Apostropheb) Metonymyc) Aphorismd) Dramatic irony

CELL#5

QuoteTheseus: Woe is me! Is it a child’s life death robs me off?

Leader: They live, but, cruelest news of all for thee, their mother is nomore.

Theseus: What! My wife dead? By what cruel stroke of chance?

Leader: I know but this, for I am myself but now arrived at the houseto mourn they sorrows, O Theseus.

Summary: Theseus stands surprised for he had found out his wife isdead. He asks the leader how she died, and he tells Theseus that shehung herself.

Questions1) Who did Theseus think had died?

2) What part of the quote tells you that?

3) How do you think Theseus feel right now?

4) What is the quote where the death of the queen is mentioned in thisscene?a) ‘Cruelest news of all for thee’b) ‘My wife dead?’c) ‘Their mother is no more’d) ‘Mourn their sorrows’

CELL#6

QuoteTheseus: Woe is me! Why have I crowned my head with wovengarlands, when misfortune greets my embassage? Unbolt the doorsservants, loose their fastenings, that I may see the piteous sight, mywife, whose death is death to me. Woe! Woe is thee for thy piteouslot! Thou hast done thyself a hurt deep enough to overthrow thisfamily. Ah! Ah! The daring of it done to death by violence andunnatural means the desperate effort of thy own poor hand! Who castthe shadow o’er thy life, poor lady?

Theseus: Ah me, my cruel lot! Sorrow hath done her worst on me. Ofortune, how heavily hast thou set thy foot on me and on my house,by fiendish hands inflicting an unexpected stain? Nay, ‘tis completeeffacement of my life, making it not to be lived’ for I see, alas! So widean ocean of grief that I can never swim to shore again, nor breast thetide of this calamity. How shall I speak of thee, my poor wife, whattale of direst suffering to tell? Thou art vanished like a bird from thecovert of my hand, taking one headlong lead from me to Hades’ halls.Alas, and woe! This is bitter, bitter sight! This must be a judgmentsent by God for the sins of an ancestor, which from some far source Iam bringing on myself.

Leader of the Chorus: My prince, ‘tis not to thee alone such sorrowscome’ thou hast lost a noble wife, but so have many others

Summary: Theseus complains about how this happened. He tells theservants to open the door so he may see her body, and after he seesit, he weeps and asks why she had done this.

Questions1) Whose body did Theseus see?

2) When the leader said ‘thou hast lost a noble wife, but so have manyothers’, why do you think he said that?

3) Do you think it will make him feel better about the situation?

4) What does the word fiendish mean?a) Goodb) Bad, cruelc) Innocentd) Guilty

CELL#7

QuoteTheseus: Ha! What means this letter? Clasped in her dear hand it hathsome strange story to tell. Hath she, poor lady, as a last request,written her bidding as to my marriage and her children? Take heart,poor ghost’ no wife henceforth shall wed thy Theseus or invade hishouse. Ah! How yon en ring affects my sight! Come, I will unfold thesealed packet and read her letter’s message to me.

Chorus: Woe unto us! Here is yet another evil in the train by heavensent. Looking to what has happened, I should count my lot in life nolonger worth one’s while to gain. My master’s house, alas! Is ruined ,brought to naught, I say. Spare it, O Heaven, if it may be. Hearken tomy prayer, for I see, as with prophetic eye, an omen boding ill.

Summary: Theseus notices his dead wife was holding a letter and heassumes there’s a story written. And says he will read it all.

Questions1) What does Theseus find?

2) What do you think it will say?

3) Was it right for him to read it?

4) Where in the quote does it mention a story to be told?

CELL#8

QuoteLeader of the Chorus: What is it? Speak, if I may share in it.

Theseus: This letter loudly tells a hideous take! Where can I escapemy load of woe? For I am ruined and undone, awful are the words Ifind here written clear as if she cried them to me’ woe is me!

Theseus: I can no longer keep the cursed tale within the portal of mylips, cruel though its utterance be. Ah me! Hippolytus hath dared bybrutal force to violate my honour, recking naught of Zeus, whose awfuleye is over all. O father Poseidon, once didst thou promise to fulfillthree prayers of mine’ answer one of these and slay my son, let himnot escape this single day, if the prayers thou gavest me were indeedwith issue fraught.

Leader: O king, I do conjure thee, call back that prayer; hereafter thouwilt know thy error. Hear I pray.

Theseus: It cannot be! Moreover I will banish him from this land, andby one of two fates shall he be struck down’ either Poseidon, out ofrespect to my prayer, will cast his dead body into the house of Hades’or exiled from this land, a wanderer to some foreign shore, shall heeke out a life of misery.

Summary: Theseus read the letter and says it’s awful, for he finds outHippolytus had violated his wife. And now he wants his prayer to cometrue, for he had prayed for the death of his son. Or Theseus will havehim banished from the land and have a miserable life.

Questions

1) What does Theseus find out?

2) Was it right for Theseus to pray for the death of his son?

3) What do you think Theseus will do once he sees Hippolytus?

4) What does the word eke mean?a) To supplement with great effortb) Reverence or respectc) To make greater as in sized) To weep relentlessly

CELL#9

QuoteHIPPOLYTUS: I heard they voice, father, and hasted to come hither;yet know I not the cause of thy present sorrow, but would fain learndof thee. Ha! What is this? Thy wife dead? ‘tis very strange; it was butnow I left her; a moment since she looked upon the light. How cameshe thus? The manner of her death? This would I learn of thee, father.Art dumb? Silence availeth not in trouble; nay, for the heart that fainwould know all must show its curiosity even in sorrow’s hour. Be sureit is not right, father, to hide misfortunes from those who love, ay,more than love thee.

THESEUS: O ye sons of men, victims of a thousand idle errors, whyteach your countless crafts, why scheme and seek to find a way foreverything, while one thing ye know not nor ever yet have made yourprize, a way to teach them wisdom whose souls are void of sense?

Summary: Hippolytus enters and sees Phaedra’s body and asks whathad happened and why she lays dead. The Theseus claims is a fakeperson who lies.

Questions1) Who does Hippolytus see? What does he ask?

2) Do you think he knew about it?

3) What will happen to Hippolytus now that Theseus saw him?

4) What’s the antonym of the word void?

a) Emptyb) Lonelyc) Fulld) Good

CELL#10

QuoteHIPPOLYTUS: Say, Hath some friend been slandering me and hath hestill thine ear? And I, thou guiltness, banned? I am amazed, for thyrandom frantic words fill me with wild alarm.

THESEUS: I the mind of mortal man! To what lengths will it proceed?What limit will its bold assurance have? Behold this man; he, my ownson, hath outraged mine honour, his guilt most clearly proved by mydead wife? Art thou the chaste and sinless saint? Go then, vauntthyself, and drive thy petty trade in viands formed of lifeless food;take Orpheus for thy chief and go a-revelling, with all honour for thevapourings of many a written scroll, seeing thou now art caught. Sheis dead; dost think that this will save thee? What oaths, what pleascan outweigh this letter, so that thou shouldst ‘scape thy doom? Thouwill assert she hated thee; it seems then by they showing she made asorry bargain with her life; my experience is, young men are no moresecure than women, Be gone at once, an exile from this land, andne’er set foot again in god-built Athens nor in the confines of mydominion. For if I am tamely to submit to this treatment from such asthee, no more will Sinis, robber of the Isthmus, bear me witness hoe Islew him, but say my boasts are idle, nor will those rocks Scironian,that fringe the sea, call me the miscreants’ scourge.

HIPPOLYTUS: Father, they wrath and the tension of thy mind areterrible; yet this charge specious though its arguments appear,becomes a calumny, if one lay it bare. Small skill have I in speaking toa crowd, but have a readier wit for comrades of mine own age andsmall companies. To mock at friends is not my way, father, but I amstill the same behind their backs as to their face, the very crime thou

thinkest to catch me in, is just the one I am untainted wit, for to thisday have I kept me pure from women. Nor know I aught thereof, savewhat I hear or see in pictures, for I have no wish to look even onthese, so pure my virgin soul. I grant my claim to chastity may notconvince thee? Did aspire to fill the husband’s place after thee andsucceed to thy house? That surely would have made me out a fool, acreature coid of sense. Had I a witness to attest my purity, and were Ipitted ‘gainst her still alive, facts would show thee on enquiry who theculprit was. I swear to thee I never did lay hand upon thy wife, norwould have wished to, or have harboured such a thought. Slay me, yegods! Rob me of name and honour, from home and city cast me forth,a wandering exile o’er the earth! Nor sea nor lands receive my boneswhen I am dead, if I am such a miscreant! I cannot say if she throughfear destroyed herself for more than this am I forbid. With herdiscretion took the peace of chastity, while I though chaste was notdiscreet in using this virtue.

Summary: In this scene, Theseus basically tells Hippolytus how falsehe had been to everybody especially to his own dad. He says that hisown son had lied about having an affair with his wife, and because ofwhat the letter said, he had no other evidence to prove him wrong.Then Hippolytus replies saying that everything Theseus was sayingwas wrong. That he had no affair with Phaedra, nor touched her,wished or desired her at all. He claims he’s innocent, he’s not abackstabber, and says he has a witness.

Questions1) What does Hippolytus say as a response to Theseus accuse?

2) Do you think Hippolytus is telling the truth?

3) What would you do with Hippolytus if you were Theseus?

4) Culprit is to criminal as cheater is toa) Cleverb) Loyalc) Liard) Ferocious

Cell One: Theseus and Hippolytus

Hippolytus: Oh! What wilt thou do? Wilt thou banish me, without somuch as waiting for time’s evidence on my case?Theseus: Ay, beyond the sea, beyond the bounds of Atlas, if I could,so deeply do I hate thee.Hippolytus: What! Banish me untried, without even testing my oath,the pledge offer, or the voice of seers?Theseus: This letter here, though it bears no seers’ signs, arraignsthy pledges; as for birds that fly o’er our heads, a long farewell tothem.

Theseus: Fie upon thee! That solemn air of thine is more than I canbear. Begone from thy native land forthwith!

Summary: Theseus is very angry at Hippolytus for attempting toravish Theseus’ wife, Hippolytus’ stepmother, Phaedra. Theseusresolves to exile Hippolytus, and states his hatred for him. Theseusdoes this based solely on the letter left by Phaedra blaming theinnocent Hippolytus.

1. “Great Gods! Why do I not unlock my lips, seeing that I am ruinedby you, the objects of my reverence? No, I will not; I should nowisepersuade those whom I ought to, and in vain should break the oath Iswore”What literary device is used in the above quote?a) Simile c) Antipophorab) Chorus d) Amphiboly

2. “Begone from thy native land forthwith!” What does the word“forthwith” mean?

3. Why is Theseus mad at Hippolytus?

4. Is banishment fitting punishment for rape? Is Theseus just in hisdecision to exile his son?

Cell Two: Hippolytus, banished?

Hippolytus: Ah me! This wounds my heart and brings me nigh totears to think that I should appear so vile, and thou believe me so.Theseus: Thy tears and forethought had been more in season whenthou didst presume to outrage thy father’s wife.

Hippolytus: The sentence then, it seems, is passed. Ah, misery!How well I know the truth herein, but know no way to tell it! Odaughter of Latona, dearest to me off all deities, partner, comrade inthe chase, far from glorious Athens must I fly. Farewell, city and landof Erechtheus; farewell, Troezen, most joyous home wherein to passthe spring of life; ‘tis my last sight of thee, farewell! Come, mycomrades in this land, young like me, greet me kindly and escort meforth, for never will ye behold a purer soul, for all my father’s doubts.

Summary: Hippolytus is officially exiled from his homeland of Athens.Hippolytus is disappointed at the sentence given to him, because heloves Athens, and he loves his father.

1. We, the readers, know that Hippolytus is, in fact, innocent.Theseus does not know this. What is it called when the audienceknows something that the characters in the play do not?

2. “O daughter of Latona…” Which goddess is Hippolytus referringto?a) Aphrodite c) Phaedrab) Artémis d) Mopolite

3. Is Hippolytus happy that he is sentenced to exile instead of death?

4. Compare Hippolytus’ punishment, exile, to another given to non-citizen law breakers.

Cell Three: Chorus

Chorus (singing) (epode): While I with tears at thy unhappy fateshall endure a lot all undeserved. Ah! Hapless mother, in vain didstthou bring forth, it seems. I m angered with the gods; out upon them!O ye linked graces, why are ye sending from his native land this pooryouth, guiltless sufferer, far from his home?

Summary: The Chorus is singing about what happened to Hippolytus.

1. What literary device is used in the above quote? (hint: a lyrical oreditorial commentator in a play, sometimes taking character roles.)a) Caricature c) Chorusb) Ballad d) None of the above

2. What is the Chorus commentating on in the above quote?

3. What does “Hapless” mean?a) Unlucky c) Bereftb) Happy d) dangerous

4. If you were a god, would you punish your faithful followers? Whyor why not?

Cell Four: Hippolytus, dead?

Messenger: In one brief word, Hippolytus is dead. ‘Tis true oneslender thread still links him to the light of life,Theseus: Who slew him? Did some husband come to blows withhim, one whose wife, like mine, had suffered brutal violence?Messenger: He perished through those steeds that drew his chariotand through the curses thou didst utter, praying to thy sire, the oceanking, to slay thy son.Theseus: Ye Gods and king Poseidon, thou hast proved myparentage by hearkening to my prayer! Say how he perished; how fellthe uplifted hand of justice to smite the villain who dishonoured me?

Summary: A servant of Hippolytus informs Theseus of his son’smortal wounds, received at the discretion of the ocean king, KingPoseidon (Theseus’ father). Theseus is surprised that Poseidonanswered his prayers so quickly.

1. Poseidon is the God of the sea in Greek mythology. What is hecalled in Roman mythology?a) Neptune c) Plutob) Saturn d) Jupiter

2. What happened to Hippolytus? How does Theseus feel when hehears this news?

3. Is it right for Theseus to pray for his son’s death?

4. Do you think Theseus will ever regret his son’s death?

Cell Five: trampled to death

Messenger: Hard by the wave beat shore were we combing out hishorses’ manes, weeping the while, for one had come to say thatHippolytus was harshly exiled by thee and nevermore would return toset foot in this land. Then came he, telling the same doleful tale to usupon the beach, and with him was a countless throng of friends whofollowed after. At length he stayed his lamentation and spake, “Whyweakly rave on this wise? My father’s commands must be obeyed.Ho! Servants, harness my horses to the chariot; this is no longer nowcity of mine.” Thereupon each one of us bestirred himself, and, ere aman could say ‘twas done, we had the horses standing ready at ourmaster’s side. Then he caught up the reins from the chariot-rail, firstfitting his feet in the hollows fitted exactly for them. But first withoutstretched palms he called upon the gods, “O, Zeus, now strike medead, if I have sinned, and let my father know he is wronging me, indeath at least, if not in life.” Therewith he seized the whip and lashedeach horse in turn; while we, close by his chariot, near the reins, keptup with him along the road that leads directly to Argos and Epidaurus.And just as we were coming to a desert spot, a strip of sand beyondthe borders of this country, sloping right to the Saronic gulf, thereissued thence a deep rumbling sound, as it were an earthquake,fearsome noise, and the horses reared their heads and pricked theirears, while we were filled with wild alarm to know whence came thesound; when, as we gazed toward the wave beat shore, a wavetremendous we beheld towering to the skies, so that from our view thecliffs of Sciron vanished…”

Hippolytus: Stay, stay, my horses whom my own hand hath fed atthe manger, destroy me not utterly. O luckless curse of a father! Willno one come and save me for all my virtues?

Summary: The Messenger proceeds to deliver the details of the deathof Hippolytus. He says that as they were moving along the road intheir chariots, a rumbling sounded and a giant wave appeared at thebeach. After the wave crashed on the beach, it sent the horses into astate of panic and disorder. Hippolytus, who tied the reins of thehorses to his body, was desperately trying to guide the horses tosafety. When he lost control of the reins, he was trampled by theirpanicked hooves, taken by the waves, and smashed into the rocks.

1. What literary device is used when the messenger tells ofHippolytus’ demise?a) Anabasis c) Analogueb) Amplification d) Apostrophe

2. “At length he stayed his lamentation and spake.” What does thissentence mean?

3. In the quote by Hippolytus, he implies that he is being betrayed bythe horses. Can the horses be held accountable for their actions?

4. How does Hippolytus die?

Cell Six: woe is me

Artemis (Chanting): Hearken, I Bid Thee, noble son of Aegeus: lo!‘tis I, Latona’s child, that speak, I, Artemis. Why, Theseus, to thysorrow dost thou rejoice at these tidings, seeing that thou hast slainthy son most impiously, listening to a charge not clearly proved, butfalsely sworn to by thy wife? Though clearly has the curse therefromupon thee fallen.”

Artemis (Speaking): still with this intent I came, to show thy son’spure heart, -that he may die with honour,-as well the frenzy and, in asense, the nobleness of thy wife; for she was cruelly stung with apassion for thy son by that goddess whom all we, that joy in virginpurity, detest.

Artemis (Speaking): She meantime, fearful of being found out, wrotea lying letter, destroying by guile thy son, but yet persuading thee.Theseus: Woe is me!

Summary: Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, and also of virgins,appears out of nowhere and tells Theseus of his mistake in judgingHippolytus. Artemis says that she appeared so that Hippolytus maydie with honor, and to shed light on Theseus’ wife’s true intentions.Theseus is greatly saddened by this news and says, “Woe is me!”

1. What is the literary device used when Theseus discovers hismistake?a) Anagnorisis c) Anastropheb) Antipophora d) Anticlimax

2. Why does Artemis appear to talk with Theseus? What does she tellhim?

3. Is it moral to believe your wife over your son? How about in thecase of Hippolytus?

4. Are mistakes such as the one committed by Theseus ever made inthe American judicial system?

Cell 1: Artemis and Theseus

Quote:

ARTEMIS

Doth my story wound thee, Theseus? Be still awhile; hear whatfollows, so wilt thou have more cause to groan. Dost remember thosethree prayers thy father granted thee, fraught with certain issue? 'Tisone of these thou hast misused, unnatural wretch, against thy son,instead of aiming it at an enemy. Thy sea-god sire, 'tis true, for all hiskind intent, hath granted that boon he was compelled, by reason of hispromise, to grant. But thou alike in his eyes and in mine hast shewnthy evil heart, in that thou hast forestalled all proof or voice prophetic,hast made no inquiry, nor taken time for consideration, but with unduehaste cursed thy son even to the death.

THESEUS

Perdition seize me! Queen revered!

Summary: Artemis has just revealed to Theseus that Aphrodite cast acurse on Phaedra and the nurse set up Hippolytus. Artemis makesHippolytus’ innocence known to Theseus and Theseus deeply regretscalling on Poseidon to kill his son and calls for perdition to sieze him.

Questions:

1) In the quote above, perdition most nearly means:

a) eternal damnation

b) permission

c) external longing

d) life

2) How did Theseus misuse one of the three prayers promised to himby Poseidon?

3) What might have happened differently if Theseus had investigatedhis wife’s death?

4) Do you think it is cruel of Artemis to send Theseus on a guilt tripwhen Theseus already feels guilty?

Cell 2: Bad Theseus

Quote:

ARTEMIS

An awful deed was thine, but still even for this thou mayest obtainpardon; for it was Cypris that would have it so, sating the fury of hersoul. For this is law amongst us gods; none of us will thwart hisneighbour's will, but ever we stand aloof. For be well assured, did I notfear Zeus, never would I have incurred the bitter shame of handingover to death a man of all his kind to me most dear. As for thy sin,first thy ignorance absolves thee from its villainy, next thy wife, who isdead, was lavish in her use of convincing arguments to influence thymind. On thee in chief this storm of woe hath burst, yet is it somegrief to me as well; for when the righteous die, there is no joy inheaven, albeit we try to destroy the wicked, house and home.

Summary: Artemis tells Theseus that although what he did wasdisgraceful, he can still obtain pardon because of the works ofAphrodite.

Questions:

1) In the quote above, sating most nearly means:

a) to say something

b) to overindulge

c) to laugh

d) to mock

2) Why does Artemis say Theseus can still obtain pardon?

3) Do you think Theseus should be allowed to obtain pardon for havingsomeone kill his son?

4) In the world today, could Theseus be arrested for having his sonkilled?

Cell 3: Hippolytus Arrives

Quote:

CHORUS (chanting)

Lo! where he comes, this hapless youth, his fair young flesh andauburn locks most shamefully handled. Unhappy house! what two-foldsorrow doth o'ertake its halls, through heaven's ordinance!

(HIPPOLYTUS enters, assisted by his attendants.)

HIPPOLYTUS (chanting)

Ah! ah! woe is me! foully undone by an impious father's impiousimprecation! Undone, undone! woe is me! Through my head dartfearful pains; my brain throbs convulsively. Stop, let me rest my worn-out frame. Oh, oh! Accursed steeds, that mine own hand did feed, yehave been my ruin and my death. O by the gods, good sirs, beseechye, softly touch my wounded limbs. Who stands there at my rightside? Lift me tenderly; with slow and even step conduct a poor wretchcursed by his mistaken sire. Great Zeus, dost thou see this? Me thyreverent worshipper, me who left all men behind in purity, plungedthus into yawning Hades 'neath the earth, reft of life; in vain the toils Ihave endured through my piety towards mankind. Ah me! ah me! O

the thrill of anguish shooting through me! Set me down, poor wretch Iam; come Death to set me free! Kill me, end my sufferings. O for asword two-edged to hack my flesh, and close this mortal life! Ill-fatedcurse of my father! the crimes of bloody kinsmen, ancestors of old,now pass their boundaries and tarry not, and upon me are they comeall guiltless as I am; ah! why? Alas, alas! what can I say? How frommy life get rid of this relentless agony? O that the stern Death-god,night's black visitant, would give my sufferings rest!

Summary: Hippolytus arrives all beat up assisted by attendants andspeaks of his grief over his father wanting him dead when he hadn’tdone anything wrong. He asks for death to free him and thinks that hewill go to Hades.

Questions:

1) Why does Hippolytus need the attendants’ assistance when heenters the room?

2) Do you think Hippolytus will go to Hades like he thinks he will?

3) The literary device, antipophora, is to ask a question then answer it.Which of these quotes is an example of antipophora?

a) “. . . what can I say? How from my life get rid . . .”

b) “Who stands there at my side? Lift me tenderly . . .”

c) “How from my life get rid of this relentless agony? O that thestern death god . . . would give my sufferings rest”

d) “why? Alas alas . . .”

4) How might Theseus feel seeing his son in so much pain and agony?

Cell 4: The Goddess and the Worshipper

Quote:

ARTEMIS

She is, poor sufferer! the goddess thou hast loved the best.

HIPPOLYTUS

Dost see me, mistress mine? dost see my present suffering?

ARTEMIS

I see thee, but mine eyes no tear may weep.

Summary: Hippolytus discovers Artemis’ presence and speaks of howwhen he dies, no one will “groom the steeds” or “guard thy shrines”.Artemis informs Hippolytus of Aphrodite’s curse.

Questions:

1) When Hippolytus says, I see her single hand hath struck down threeof us”, he is speaking of Aphrodite’s hand striking down which threepeople?

a) Artemis, Theseus, Bob

b) Theseus, Bill, Hippolytus

c) Phaedra, Bob, Bill

d) Phaedra, Theseus, Hippolytus

2) “'Twas Cypris, mistress of iniquity, devised this evil.” Who isCypris?

3) How might Hippolytus feel toward Aphrodite now that he knowswhat she has done?

4) How would you feel about your father if you knew that he orderedthat you be killed, but it was because of the works of another person?

Cell 5: I am Guilty

Quote:

THESEUS

My son, I am a ruined man; life has no joys for me.

HIPPOLYTUS

For this mistake I mourn thee rather than myself.

THESEUS

O that I had died for thee, my son!

HIPPOLYTUS

Ah! those fatal gifts thy sire Poseidon gave.

THESEUS

Would God these lips had never uttered that prayer!

HIPPOLYTUS

Why not? thou wouldst in any case have slain me in thy fury then.

THESEUS

Yes; Heaven had perverted my power to think.

HIPPOLYTUS

O that the race of men could bring a curse upon the gods!

Summary: Theseus expresses his guilt to Hippolytus and it seems thatHippolytus forgives his father.

Questions:

1) In the quote above, the word perverted most nearly means:

a) corrupted

b) jogged

c) allowed

d) imagined

Cell 6: Artemis’ Farewell

Quote:

ARTEMIS

Enough! for though thou pass to gloom beneath the earth, the wrathof Cypris shall not, at her will, fall on thee unrequited, because thouthadst a noble righteous soul. For I with mine own hand will with theseunerring shafts avenge me on another, who is her votary, dearest toher of all the sons of men. And to thee, poor sufferer, for thy anguishnow will grant high honours in the city of Troezen; for thee shall maidsunwed before their marriage cut off their hair, thy harvest through thelong roll of time of countless bitter tears. Yea, and for ever shall thevirgin choir hymn thy sad memory, nor shall Phaedra's love for theefall into oblivion and pass away unnoticed. But thou, O son of oldAegeus, take thy son in thine arms, draw him close to thee, forunwittingly thou slewest him, and men may well commit an error whengods put it in their way. And thee Hippolytus, I admonish; hate not thysire, for in this death thou dost but meet thy destined fate. And nowfarewell! 'tis not for me to gaze upon the dead, or pollute my sightwith death-scenes, and e'en now I see thee nigh that evil.

Summary: Artemis says that she will make Aphrodite pay by seetingup ruin for one of Aphrodite’s devoted worshippers. She also settlesmatters between Hippolytus and Theseus saying that Hippolytus willbe remembered by the people of Troezen with high honor and tellsTheseus to hold Hippolytus in his arms because although he was theone who had Hippolytus killed, it was because Aphrodite set it up.Artemis then vanishes.

Questions:

1) In the quote above, the word votary most nearly means:

a) cowardly dog

b) devoted worshipper

c) devoted voter

d) fast kitten

2) How did Aphrodite put error in Theseus’ way?

3) Do you think HIppolytus and Theseus will do what Artemis had toldthem to do?

4) Why has Artemis been so kind to Hippolytus?

Cell 7: Father and Son

Quote:

THESEUS

Canst leave me thus with murder on my soul!

HIPPOLYTUS

No, no; I set thee free from this bloodguiltiness.

THESEUS

What sayest thou? dost absolve me from bloodshed?

HIPPOLYTUS

Artemis, the archer-queen, is my witness that I do.

THESEUS

My own dear child, how generous dost thou show thyself to thy father!

HIPPOLYTUS

Farewell, dear father! a long farewell to thee!

THESEUS

O that holy, noble soul of thine!

HIPPOLYTUS

Pray to have children such as me born in lawful wedlock.

THESEUS

O leave me not, my son; endure awhile.

HIPPOLYTUS

'Tis finished, my endurance; I die, father; quickly veil my face with amantle.

Summary: Theseus and Hippolytus have a father-son moment in whichHippolytus frees his father from bloodguiltiness with Artemis as hiswitness and dies in his fathers arms.

Questions:

1) Who is the witness of Theseus’ absolvement?

2) “Now shall the copious tear gush forth.” The word copious mostnearly means:

a) large in quantity

b) wet

c) sad

d) small in size

3) Would you consider this to be a happy ending?

4) What are two possible ways that Theseus will live the rest of his lifein regards to the death of his son?