Jean Racine, like many authors in the Neoclassical period, focuses on the depths of human nature and the constant struggle between passion and reason. In his work entitled Phaedra, he depicts the nature of passion in his characters to be very destructive. Because of their extreme passion, Phaedra betrays her husband; in addition, Oenone convinces Theseus with lies, in which he makes impulsive decisions that cause immense destruction amongst them all. .
Phaedra's extreme passion causes her to betray her husband Theseus, the king of Athens. She is ashamed of her secret love of Hippolytus, the son of Theseus. This secret eats away at her until, eventually, she withers away to the point of near death. When Oenone asks her why she torments herself and wishes for death, Phaedra finally reveals her love of her husband's son, and how she believes such betrayal deserves nothing more than death. .
Soon after Phaedra's confession of her incestuous love, she receives news that Theseus is dead. Because Hippolytus is the son of an Amazon woman, he will not be allowed to take the throne. Oenone convinces Phaedra that with Theseus out of the picture, things have changed. Now she will have to take him under her wing so he doesn't become a slave. She tells her this is her chance to liberate herself by telling Hippolytus how she truly feels. She no longer needs to feel ashamed or tormented with this horrible secret. Phaedra takes Oenone's advice, but doesn't get the reaction from Hippolytus that she had hoped for. .
Much to the dismay of Phaedra and Oenone, Theseus" death is a mere rumor and, in fact, he is on his way to reunite with his wife. Oenone quickly determines that Phaedra should lie to Theseus about her confession before Hippolytus has a chance to tell him what has happened. Phaedra is too afraid to betray him once more and directly to his face, so she leaves the deceiving to Oenone.
