PHAEDRA Essay Example For Students

PHAEDRA Essay A monologue from the play by Jean Racine NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from The Dramatic Works of Jean Racine. Trans. Robert Bruce Boswell. London: George Bell and Sons, 1911. PHAEDRA: Ah! cruel Prince, too wellYou understood me. I have said enoughTo save you from mistake. I love. But think notThat at the moment when I love you mostI do not feel my guilt; no weak complianceHas fed the poison that infects my brain.The ill-starrd object of celestial vengeance,I am not so detestable to youAs to myself. The gods will bear me witness,Who have within my veins kindled this fire,The gods, who take a barbarous delightIn leading a poor mortals heart astray.Do you yourself recall to mind the past:Twas not enough for me to fly, I chased youOut of the country, wishing to appearInhuman, odious; to resist you better,I sought to make you hate me. All in vain!Hating me more I loved you none the less:New charms were lent to you by your misfortunes.I have been drownd in tears, and scorchd by fire;Your own eyes might convince you of the truth,If for one moment you could look at me.What is t I say? Think you this vile confessionThat I have made is what I meant to utter?Not dar ing to betray a son for whomI trembled, twas to beg you not to hate himI came. Weak purpose of a heart too fullOf love for you to speak of aught besides!Take your revenge, punish my odious passion;Prove yourself worthy of your valiant sire,And rid the world of an offensive monster!Does Theseus widow dare to love his son?The frightful monster! Let her not escape you!Here is my heart. This is the place to strike.Already prompt to expiate its guilt,I feel it leap impatiently to meetYour arm. Strike home. Or, if it would disgrace youTo steep your hand in such polluted blood,If that were punishment too mild to slakeYour hatred, lend me then your sword, if notYour arm.