Hippolytos, the son of Theseus and the Amaton queen Antiope, wants to leave Troezene to look for his father and, at the same time, flee from a dilemma: he has fallen in love with his father's prisoner, Arikia.
Phädra, second wife to Theseus, on the other hand, is possessed by passionate love for Hippolytos. In a moment of desperation, she even confesses her sinful feelings to her Amme Onone. For Phädra, she'd rather die. The news of Theseus' death alters the situation. Onone convinces the queen to openly express her love without shame. Phaedra follows her advice. But Hippolytos incensedly shuns her away. He would rather flee with Arikia to help her as she, by virtue of birth, has a claim on the Athenian throne.
But the return of Theseus whose death has been falsely proclaimed leads the plot to a catastrophe. Once again Phädra allows herself to be convinced by Onone, this time to allow her, Amme, to present charges against Hippolytos which Phädra herself is guilty of. Theseus storms in fury, bans Hippolytos who, in turn, is noble enough not to say anything. But as Phädra learns of Hippolytos' love for Arikia, her misery only hightens. But before Theseus could be fully aware of what is really going on, the curse he makes in the name of Poseidon on the unknowing head of Hippolytos is fulfilled. Theramenes reports of the youth's terrifying end: a sea monster killed him with its lethal breath. Phädra takes upon herself the atonement for transgression: she poisons herself. Before her, the Amme Onone, herself, committed suicide by throwing herself into the sea. Torn to pieces, Theseus accepts Arikia as daughter - surrogate, thereby fulfilling the last wish of the dying Hippolytos who, through Theramenes' words, also charges her into the king's custody.