Hesitant, yet curious, Phaedra agrees to Oenone's plan. Hippolytus, meanwhile, has been a winner at the Olympian Games and is being honored in a celebration of song and dance. Oenone shows up with an invitation for Hippolytus to come to Phaedra's chambers to receive her congratulations. Later that evening, Hippolytus arrives at his step-mother's chambers. Phaedra greets him with a series of toasts, then leads the conversation toward more intimate matters.
Attraction is mutual.
She dances for him, flirtatiously, seductively. Hippolytus' is aroused and they kiss, each lost in unexpected passion. But when Phaedra mentions the Oracle of Delos, Hippolytus is suddenly reminded of his father. He frees himself from her influence and leaves. Alone with her guilt and anger, Phaedra pens a note accusing Hippolytus of seducing her, then drinks a potion of bitter poison.