# Hippolyta — The Two Noble Kinsmen character guide

> Hippolyta in The Two Noble Kinsmen by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hippolyta In, Hippolyta Sir, Farewell Hippolyta

**First appearance:** 0003-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

The Amazon queen newly wed to Theseus, whose brisk farewell to her sister Emilia frames the marriage politics the play quietly interrogates.

## Who they are

Hippolyta appears first as Theseus's bride, led in garlands beside her sister Emilia, and quickly shows herself a practical counterweight to Emilia's hesitations — teasing that she will know Emilia's husband before Emilia does. Her brief exchange with Theseus about whether Emilia must attend the tournament exposes how thoroughly women's presence is treated as payment for men's valor. Though she speaks little, her Amazon past and her new role as Athenian wife give the play a second, quieter model of a woman navigating a world that trades her like currency.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Hippolyta supports the queens' cause and urges Theseus to prioritize their plea over the wedding, offering to lend her influence.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Wishes Pirithous well, reflects on the bond between Pirithous and Theseus, and later challenges Emilia's views on love.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-v)

Admires Arcite's noble appearance and character.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-v)

Present with Theseus, she says she was never so pleased.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-vi)

Kneels with Emilia and Pirithous, pleading for mercy on the princes.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Mentioned as begging for the prisoners' pardon alongside Emilia.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Hippolyta wishes to see the fight but laments the cause, calling love tyrannous, and comforts her weeping sister Emilia.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Hippolyta is present among the attendants as the prayers begin.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii)

Hippolyta encourages Emilia to witness the combat and later expresses pity for the two knights.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/hippolyta
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters