son, Hippolytus. Her passion, guilt, and false accusation bring death to both herself and Hippolytus. The tragedy happens because of several causes. No single person is fully guilty. Phaedra, Hippolytus, the Nurse, and even the gods share responsibility. The play shows how passion, pride, and fate together cause ruin.

 

Phaedra’s Guilty Passion: Phaedra is the main cause of the tragedy. Her sinful desire for Hippolytus begins the chain of suffering. She knows her love is wrong but cannot control it. She says, 

“Passion forces me to take the worser path.” 

Her weakness lies in her inability to resist passion. Though she feels shame and guilt, she still confesses her desire. Her later lie against Hippolytus makes her guilt heavier. Yet, Seneca presents her as both sinner and victim. Her moral fall and painful love start the tragic destruction.

Hippolytus’ Harsh Pride: Hippolytus also shares blame because of his pride. He hates all women and refuses love completely. His heart has no pity for Phaedra’s suffering. He says, 

“Away with thy impure touch from my chaste body.” 

His cruel rejection increases her pain. His extreme purity becomes arrogance. Seneca shows that even virtue without compassion can be dangerous. Hippolytus’ pride blinds him to others’ feelings. His anger and harsh words drive Phaedra toward guilt and death. Thus, his cold pride adds fuel to the fire of tragedy.

The Nurse’s Evil Role: The Nurse’s actions make the tragedy worse. She tries to help Phaedra but uses the wrong methods. She encourages the queen to follow her passion. The Nurse says, 

“Let us test that grim and stubborn soul.” 

Her plan to tempt Hippolytus brings disaster. After Hippolytus rejects Phaedra, the Nurse lies that he attacked the queen. Her false cry—“Help, Athens, help!”—creates chaos and anger. Her lies make Theseus curse his innocent son. Seneca uses the Nurse to show how weak and selfish guidance can destroy many lives.

Theseus’ Blind Judgment: Theseus,as the husband and father, also causes tragedy by his rash anger. He believes Phaedra’s lie without searching for the truth. He curses his son and calls on Neptune to kill him. His words bring Hippolytus’ death. Seneca shows that uncontrolled anger and quick judgment are as harmful as passion. Theseus acts as a father without reason. His lack of patience turns him from a protector into a destroyer. His fury completes the tragedy.

The Gods and Fate: The gods, too, share the blame for the tragedy. Venus sends the curse of love to punish Phaedra’s family. Phaedra herself says, 

“Venus, detesting the offspring of the hated Sun, is avenging through us.” 

The divine curse makes her love Hippolytus against her will. Thus, human beings suffer under divine revenge. Seneca’s Stoic belief appears here—fate controls all things, and human reason is weak against it. Phaedra, Hippolytus, and Theseus become tools of fate. The tragedy happens because the gods will it so.

In termination, we can say that the tragedy of “Phaedra” does not stem from one person alone. Phaedra’s passion, Hippolytus’ pride, the Nurse’s deceit, and Theseus’ anger all combine to bring ruin. Above all, divine fate works through their actions. Seneca shows that when passion defeats reason, guilt and death follow. Thus, the tragedy teaches that moral weakness and blind emotion together destroy both love and life.