Jean Racine’s Mithridate drops us into the court of Mithridates VI, the legendary King of Pontus, who’s spent his life fighting Rome and building up an immunity to poisons. The play opens with a rumor of his death, which sets everything in motion.

The Story

Mithridates returns home unexpectedly, alive but weary from battle. He finds his kingdom in disarray. His two sons, Xiphares and Pharnaces, and his young fiancée, Monime, are at the center of the trouble. Both princes are secretly in love with Monime. Pharnaces, the elder, is ready to make a deal with Rome to get what he wants. Xiphares, loyal but heartbroken, is caught between love for his father and love for Monime. Mithridates, suspicious and proud, tries to test everyone’s loyalty with a dangerous plan, weaving a web of deception that threatens to destroy his family and his kingdom from within.

Why You Should Read It

Forget dry history. Racine makes this ancient king feel painfully human. Mithridates is a fascinating mess—a brilliant strategist who’s utterly failing at being a father and a husband. His pride and paranoia are his real poisons. The love triangle isn’t just romantic filler; it exposes the cracks in this powerful family. The dialogue is sharp, the emotions are huge, and the clock is always ticking toward a final, desperate stand. It’s a masterclass in how to build suspense with words alone.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves a good family drama with the stakes turned up to eleven. If you enjoy Shakespeare’s tragedies about flawed leaders or the tense, talky thrill of a courtroom drama, you’ll find a lot to love here. It’s a short, powerful play that proves 350-year-old conflicts about love, power, and betrayal can still feel immediate and raw.