Inspired by
Euripedes'
tragedy Hippolytus and set in modern times, this allegorical tale
centers on the love triangle between a fabulously wealthy Greek shipping
magnate, his lonely second wife, and his first-born son. The affair
between the wife and her stepson begins soon after she arrives in London
to bring him back to Greece so her husband can teach him about shipping
and he can marry another tycoon's daughter to cement a new alliance.
Though the son quickly falls in love with his beautiful stepmother, he
cannot overcome his crushing guilt at having betrayed his father. When
the wife learns of her husband's planned betrothal of his son, she
becomes enraged and confesses her affair. Great tragedy follows as her
husband beats his son senseless while verbally battering the wife.
