Hippolytus

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Hippolytus
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Euripides
Edited and translated by Michael R. Halleran
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:100
Dimensions(mm): Height 216,Width 140
Category/GenrePlays, playscripts
ISBN/Barcode 9780941051866
ClassificationsDewey:882.01
Audience
General
Undergraduate

Publishing Details

Publisher Focus Publishing/R Pullins & Co
Imprint Focus Publishing/R Pullins & Co
Publication Date 1 January 2001
Publication Country United States

Description

This is an English translation of Euripides' tragedy Hippolytus about how Phaedra unsuccessfully fights her desire for Hippolytus, while he risks his life to keep her passion secret. Focus Classical Library provides close translations with notes and essays. No play of Euripides is more admired than Hippolytus. The tale of a married woman stirred to passion for a younger man was traditional, but Euripides modified this story and blended it with one of divine vengeance to create a masterpiece of tension, pathos, and dramatic power. In this play, Phaedra fights nobly but unsuccessfully against her desire for her stepson Hippolytus, while the young man risks his life to keep her passion secret. Both of them, constrained by the overwhelming force of divine power and human ignorance, choose to die in order to maintain their virtue and their good names.

Author Biography

Michael Halleran is Provost at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. He has transalted and commented on Euripides' Heracles and Hippolytus, both of which are published in the Focus Classical Library. He was series editor for several years.