Phædra (Act I), by Jean Racine

<p>Phædre first persecuted Hippolytus, her handsome stepson, then loved him. Suddenly he and her own son became rivals for the throne. Should she push her son's claims or let Hippolytus take the crown? (Volume 26, Harvard Classics)</p> <p>Racine elected to French Academy, July 17, 1673.</p>