Phaedra Lesson Plan

What do you think the shape of the sea beast is meant to communicate?

The sea beast takes the shape of a bull with a scaly tail and, as such, is a sea-derived echo of the Minotaur that Theseus slayed and Phaedra's mother bore. The fact that the sea took the shape of the bull can be seen as a comment on Theseus's former heroism, demonstrating that the very anger and strength of will that previously allowed him to defeat such a monster has now led him to prematurely demand the death of his own son. In contrast, the beast may also be seen as confirmation of the divine curse of Phaedra's line, exacting punishment on each generation in the form of death and monstrous...