The journey of a Greek myth from 16th century French to modern English : a translation of Act II of Robert Garnier's Hippolyte (1573) : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

摘要

Robert Gamier's Hippolyte, until this point, has never had a definitive English translation. Originally written in Greek by Euripides (fifth century BCE), the play was first translated into Latin by Seneca (first century CE), then into French by Gamier (1573). This play is a historically important step in the transmission of the Hippolytus myth from Euripides to the present day. However, Gamier's Hippolyte is often overlooked, with scholars instead focusing on Racine's Phedre (1677). I, along with several other students guided by Dr. Gilman, have worked to correct this oversight by translating Hippolyte in such a way as to make it available to a modem audience of English speakers. Although Seneca's influence is clearly visible in certain sections of Gamier's play, it is much more than a simple translation. Gamier follows the outline laid by Seneca, but provides new shape to the story by presenting a fresh view of the motivations behind the characters' actions. An essay on this topic can be found in the Appendix following my translation of Act II. A few notes on the importance of this translation and on the challenges it posed are also included, just before the translation itself.