The tragedy centers on the catastrophic consequences of a divine vendetta when Aphrodite manipulates Phaedra into an illicit desire for her stepson, Hippolytos. Hippolytos, a youth devoted to the goddess Artemis and committed to a life of chastity, finds himself the target of Aphrodite's wrath for his rejection of her domain. When his stepmother, Phaedra, confesses her forbidden passion to her nurse, the resulting deception leads to a false accusation of sexual assault against Hippolytos. His father, Theseus, blinded by rage and grief, invokes a curse that brings about his son's gruesome demise. The narrative unfolds through the structured dialogue and choral odes characteristic of Attic tragedy, maintaining a relentless focus on the intersection of human fallibility and divine intervention.

Readers and scholars frequently highlight the play's sophisticated psychological depth, particularly in the portrayal of Phaedra's internal struggle. Discussion often centers on the moral ambiguity of the characters, as the audience must weigh Hippolytos's pride against the overwhelming influence of the gods. Critics often note the precision of the dialogue and the effectiveness of the choral passages in grounding the mythic events in human experience. The play remains a subject of intense study for its exploration of how social expectations and personal integrity collide with tragic results.