 "Theseus' palace by the sea"

Phaedre is living a life cursed by Venus for the mistakes of her mother, Pasiphae, who had an affair with the Minotaur; Phaedra is the product of this bestial affair.She meets with Hippolytus, who offers his condolences on her bereavement and swears fidelity to her as a queen as well as abdicating the throne to the son of Theseus and Phaedra, his half brother.He is prioritizing being with Aricia above all else.