Theseus looked forward to seeing Hippolytus again, expecting his son would come to meet him when the lookouts had reported his imminent return. He would probably come in his chariot to drive his father home. But there was no dust cloud to signal horses and chariot. Instead, it was Damon who walked out from the city. ‘What’s wrong? Where’s Hippolytus?’
‘Hippolytus is not himself.’
‘Is he ill? Did you call the physician?’
‘It is not a physical malaise. He seems troubled. The death of his mother affected him badly. I think he always blamed his step-mother for that. He appears to be deliberately avoiding Phædra. I’ve tried talking to him, but he just shrugs his shoulders and says nothing.’
‘What does Phædra say?’
‘I haven’t approached her. Thought it was a family thing that you should dea
