Racine's Phaedra Case

In using evidence from the play Racine's Phaedra, clearly exhibits the stereotype woman as a destructive force in nature, known as a femme fatale. Phaedra is a good example of men toward woman in the Age of Reason and political Absolutism, where men exhibit the logic, strength, and order while woman exhibit their weakness, emotions, and disorder. Therefore, without a doubt the fact that Phaedra tends to have an effect on everyone that is involved around with her dangerous charm.

Racine, the well known classical tragedy writer of the French. He used biblical and classical models with literature to make much of his works. With Phaedra, being the head character of the play, one must understand with illustrating her passion over rational thinking especially when she chooses in restoring a sensation for love, uncovering a suffering overt, and refusing the lie her life had appeared. Although with passion being that strict emotion of forceful action, one must see that it is a profoundly inspiring play. However, Phaedra replenishes her volatile sensation for desire, in choosing to live. With an explanation at this point realizing that life has an intention through stating; "So be it. By your advice I shall be led; I'll live, if I can come back from the dead, And if my mother-love still has the power To rouse my weakened spirits in this hour ( Lawell et al. Act 1, scene 5, pg. 170-171, lines 27-30).

On the other hand, Phaedra with rational thoughts are full of desire about Hippolytus. With the fact, of her husband being gone for six months, and having to deal with these feelings to the extent where no one was sure of Theseus' whereabouts or reasoning for leaving. Hippolytus making the guilty woman rather than somewhat an active man the protagonist and using the extremely charged sexual state of affairs between the two to manufacture the psychological tension. Furthermore, Phaedra seeks to look for Hippolytus to talk with him after the fact of acknowledging Theseus' death. Consequently, she describes to be a widow and seems to be full of unhappiness, she was just not the type of person that Hippolytus thought to be and didn't want to meet with her while informing Theramenes in stating; I, talk with Phaedra? What should we talk about ( Lawell et al. Act 11, scene 3, pg. 175, line, 9) ?

Phaedra then confesses about her destiny with passion to Hippolytus, by feeling self-respected. Suddenly, Phaedra is then shocked with the fact of hearing that Theseus her husband has landed and is returning home. Nevertheless, Oenone, with protecting her queen Phaedra, decides to make a quick decision, even if it means lying

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