Phaedra

Phaedra

Passion, guilt, and fate in a timeless tragedy of forbidden loveBy Jean Racine
Michael Caine
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length1h 19m

About this audiobook

Jean Racine's "Phaedra" is a powerful exploration of love, desire, and moral conflict, rooted deeply in the traditions of French classical tragedy. Written in 1677, the play draws upon the mythological tale of Phaedra, who becomes tragically infatuated with her stepson Hippolytus. Racine employs a poignant and lyrical style, marked by his deft use of alexandrine verse, creating a striking emotional intensity that propels the narrative forward. Thematically, the play encapsulates the tension between reason and passion, reflecting the Baroque era's fascination with emotional turmoil and the complexities of human nature, as characters grapple with their fateful decisions against a backdrop of divine and societal constraints. Jean Racine, one of the most eminent dramatists of the 17th century, was known for his ability to delve into the psychological depth of his characters. Influenced by the classical ideals of Ancient Greece and Rome, Racine's works often echoed the long-standing conflict between personal desire and duty. His rigorous education and exposure to the political and cultural currents of his time shaped his tragic vision, culminating in the masterful crafting of "Phaedra," a work that intertwines personal suffering with universal themes of fate and love. This exceptional play is highly recommended for readers interested in the foundations of French literature and the nuances of tragic drama. Racine's nuanced characterization and exploration of morality elevate "Phaedra" to be more than just a tale of forbidden love; it is a profound reflection on the human condition that resonates with audiences across generations. Engage with Racine'Äôs riveting narrative, and experience a timeless examination of passion, guilt, and the inexorable forces that shape our lives.

Audiobook details

GenreLiterary Classics
Length1 hr 19 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 20, 2019
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1INTRODUCTORY NOTE
5ACT III
2PHAEDRA
6ACT IV
3ACT I
7ACT V
4ACT II

More from Jean Racine

The Complete Works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky: Novels, Short Stories and Autobiographical Writings
The Complete Works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky: Novels, Short Stories and Autobiographical WritingsFyodor Dostoyevsky271h 27m$2 · $0.00
The Complete Works: Charlotte, Emily, Anne, Patrick & Branwell Brontë
The Complete Works: Charlotte, Emily, Anne, Patrick & Branwell BrontëCharlotte Brontë, Anne Brontë, Emily Brontë138h 12m$1 · $0.00
L. M. Montgomery – Premium Collection: Novels, Short Stories, Poetry & Memoirs
L. M. Montgomery – Premium Collection: Novels, Short Stories, Poetry & MemoirsLucy Maud Montgomery155h 55m$2 · $0.00
MARK TWAIN: 12 Novels, 195 Short Stories, Autobiography, 10 Travel Books, 160+ Essays & Speeches (Illustrated)
MARK TWAIN: 12 Novels, 195 Short Stories, Autobiography, 10 Travel Books, 160+ Essays & Speeches (Illustrated)Mark Twain416h 24m5 (2)$2 · $0.00
The Great Gatsby: Original 1925 Edition (An F. Scott Fitzgerald Classic Novel
The Great Gatsby: Original 1925 Edition (An F. Scott Fitzgerald Classic NovelFrancis Scott Fitzgerald4h 45m$18 · $0.00
The Complete Works of Tolstoy
The Complete Works of TolstoyLeo Tolstoy412h 44m$1 · $0.00
Louisa May Alcott: 16 Novels in One Volume (Illustrated Edition)
Louisa May Alcott: 16 Novels in One Volume (Illustrated Edition)Louisa May Alcott141h 35m$2 · $0.00
The Fire Next Time
The Fire Next TimeJames Baldwin2h 25m$15
The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde
The Complete Works of Oscar WildeOscar Wilde80h 38m$1 · $0.00
The Complete Books of F. Scott Fitzgerald (all his 5 novels + all 4 short story collections published during his lifetime)
The Complete Books of F. Scott Fitzgerald (all his 5 novels + all 4 short story collections published during his lifetime)F. Scott Fitzgerald86h 48m$2 · $0.00
The Count of Monte Cristo (With Original Illustrations)
The Count of Monte Cristo (With Original Illustrations)Alexandre Dumas54h 7m$1 · $0.00
Braving the Truth
Braving the TruthRachel Held Evans11h 31m$29 · $0.00
Richard Wagamese Selected
Richard Wagamese SelectedRichard Wagamese3h 14m$15
Shōgun, Part One
Shōgun, Part OneJames Clavell24h 19m$35
Henry V (The Play, Historical Background and Analysis of the Character in the Play)
Henry V (The Play, Historical Background and Analysis of the Character in the Play)William Shakespeare, William Hazlitt8h 40m$1 · $0.00
Pathways to Light
Pathways to LightPrakash Amte7h 6m$8
The North American Indian (Illustrated Edition)
The North American Indian (Illustrated Edition)Edward S. Curtis, Frederick Webb Hodge6h$2 · $0.00
The Holy Bible
The Holy BibleKing James99h 50m$12 · $0.00
The Complete Novels of the Brontë Sisters (8 Novels: Jane Eyre, Shirley, Villette, The Professor, Emma, Wuthering Heights, Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall)
The Complete Novels of the Brontë Sisters (8 Novels: Jane Eyre, Shirley, Villette, The Professor, Emma, Wuthering Heights, Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall)Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, Anne Brontë118h 9m$2 · $0.00
The Greatest Works of Jules Verne
The Greatest Works of Jules VerneJules Verne247h 39m$2 · $0.00

You may also like