In that Jean Racine was elected to the French Academy on July 17, 1673, this is a fitting time for a quick study of Phedre et Hippolyte known today simply as Phedre.  This is a French dramatic tragedy in five acts written in alexandrine verse.  This was the dominant style of French poetry from the 17th through 19th centuries.

It should be noted that Jean-Baptiste Racine is considered one of the  three great playwrights of 17th century France along with Moliere and Corneille.  As such he is considered an important figure in traditional Western literature.  He was especially renown for his psychological insights, the passion of the characters in his plays and the starkness of his plots and stage.

Phedre is really an adaption of subjects from Greek mythology and transplanted into Racine’s contemporary France.  The same subjects, however, are found in Euripides’ Hippolytus and Seneca’s Phaedra.  Racine’s version was first performed in 1677.

Due to some rather jealous intrigues, the play was not a success.  Racine stopped writing secular plays and devoted himself to religion and his king until 1689.

Phedre may be read in its entirety here:

http://www.bartleby.com/26/3/11.html

Alternatively, Phedre may be heard as an audiobook here: