Reading Phaedra's Love by Sarah Kane
Yay! A modernized version of Greek mythology involving the reversal of the Oepidus complex. It must have a name of it's own, but hell if I know. Odd that he's something of a nymphomaniac though. If I recall correctly, Hippolytus was (platonically) devoted to Artemis. And Artemis was rather strict with her disciples, severely punishing them if they broke their vow of chastity. I also don't recall anything of Phaedra having a daughter. Interesting choice of name, Strophe. It's Greek for "to turn" or "to twist" as in to turn from one side to another. Strophe's role certainly served as a twist in the plot, ne?
Okay, so Phaedra committed suicide because Hippolytus rejected her. A bit melodramatic, but it happens. What was really interesting about it was Hippo's perception that this was her gift to him, proof that she had loved him. Though I get the feeling that his gratitude was more about something finally happening rather than her love. She granted his wish.
Was that what the suicide note was about? Was it her granting his wish (having failed to inspire any emotion with her true "gift") or was this her vengeance?
Honesty, heaven, priest, blah blah blah. Do I really have to go into that? I think Hippo was rather clear on that point. Though I can't wrap my head around the priest sucking him off. What purpose did that serve beyond proving Hippo's point? I mean, the priest wasn't tempted into doing it. Hippo didn't break the priest into accepting his own darkness. So why? It felt... disconnected.
Oh my god, how typically Girl is Phaedra? Only I understand him! It'll be different with me! My love is what he needs!
Theseus finally comes home, but far too late. Why the display at the funeral pyre? He didn't cry so... was that self-flagellation for not being there? For giving life and privilege to his wife's (indirect) murderer? I just don't think it was particularly for his dead wife, but rather rage at himself and the son he sired. Then after condemning his son to death, he proceeds to commit the same crimes his son's accused of, only taking it one step further by killing the girl himself. But what difference does it make if it was his stepdaughter and not some nameless stranger in the crowd? Is he not already the same as is own son? Or did he need it to be someone he knew, someone he loved, for it to hit home that they are the same. And of course he asks for forgiveness and tells Hippo that he wouldn't have done it if only he'd known, desperately convincing himself that he is different.