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Jean Racine

In our last installment we read about Pierre Corneille, The Architect of French Classical Tragedy during the rule of Louis XIV. Among the galaxy of authors and dramatists there was another prolific writer by the name of Jean Racine. He dabbled in tragedies and went up to write a notch higher than Pierre Corneille. In this write up we shall read about him.

Jean Racine:
The Master of French Tragedy

Jean Racine (1639-1699) was a French poet and playwright, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language. He is known for his contributions to the development of French tragedy, and his plays are still widely performed and studied today. Racine's life, works, and legacy have had a profound impact on French literature and the world of theater.

Early Life and Education

Racine was born on December 22, 1639, in La Ferté-Milon, a small town in the province of Picardy, France. His mother died when he was just four years old, and his father, a lawyer, sent him to live with his grandparents. Racine's early life was marked by hardship and loss, but it also instilled in him a deep love of learning and literature.

Racine attended the University of Paris, where he studied law, philosophy, and theology. However, it was during his time at university that he developed a passion for classical literature, particularly the works of the ancient Greeks. Racine's love of classical literature would later influence his own writing style and thematic preoccupations.

Career as a Playwright

Racine's career as a playwright began in the 1660s, when he wrote his first play, "La Thébaïde." However, it was not until the 1670s that he achieved widespread success with his plays "Andromaque" and "Britannicus." These plays established Racine as a major force in French theater and cemented his reputation as a master of tragedy.

Racine's plays are known for their complex characters, intricate plots, and exploration of themes such as love, power, and morality. His writing style is characterized by its clarity, simplicity, and elegance, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest stylists in the French language.

Some of Racine's most famous plays include "Phèdre," "Iphigénie," and "Athalie." These plays showcase Racine's mastery of the tragic form and his ability to create complex, nuanced characters. They also demonstrate his deep understanding of human psychology and his ability to explore the complexities of the human condition.

Let us discuss about some famous plays by Jean Racine.

La Thébaïde (1664)

La Thébaïde is Racine's first play, written in 1664. The play tells the story of the conflict between two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, who are fighting for control of Thebes. The play explores themes of power, family, and loyalty. La Thébaïde is considered a relatively immature work compared to Racine's later plays. Despite this, it showcases Racine's early mastery of language and dramatic structure.

Alexandre le Grand (1665)

Alexandre le Grand is Racine's second play, written in 1665. The play tells the story of Alexander the Great's conquest of Persia. The play explores themes of power, ambition, and the nature of greatness. Alexandre le Grand is notable for its use of historical subject matter and its exploration of the complexities of leadership. The play is also known for its elaborate language and poetic imagery. Alexandre le Grand was a major success in its time and helped establish Racine as a rising star in French theater.

Andromaque (1667)

Andromaque is one of Racine's most famous plays, written in 1667. The play tells the story of Andromache, the widow of Hector, and her struggles to protect her son from the wrath of the Greek leader Pyrrhus. The play explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. Andromaque is notable for its use of complex characters and its exploration of the emotional depths of human experience. The play is also known for its beautiful language and poetic imagery. Andromaque is widely considered one of the greatest plays in French literature.

Les Plaideurs (1668)

Les Plaideurs is a comedy play written by Racine in 1668. The play tells the story of a group of lawyers and their clients who become embroiled in a series of absurd and complicated lawsuits. The play explores themes of justice, morality, and the absurdities of the legal system. Les Plaideurs is notable for its use of satire and its critique of the excesses of the legal profession. The play is also known for its witty dialogue and comedic characters. Les Plaideurs is a rare example of a comedy play by Racine, who is more commonly known for his tragedies.

Britannicus (1669)

Britannicus is a tragedy play written by Racine in 1669. The play tells the story of the Roman emperor Nero and his struggles to maintain power and control. The play explores themes of power, corruption, and the dangers of unchecked ambition. Britannicus is notable for its use of complex characters and its exploration of the complexities of human psychology. The play is also known for its beautiful language and poetic imagery. Britannicus is widely considered one of the greatest plays in French literature.

Bérénice (1670)

Bérénice is a tragedy play written by Racine in 1670. The play tells the story of the Roman emperor Titus and his doomed love affair with the Jewish queen Berenice. The play explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. Bérénice is notable for its use of complex characters and its exploration of the emotional depths of human experience. The play is also known for its beautiful language and poetic imagery. Bérénice is widely considered one of the greatest plays in French literature.

Bajazet (1672)

Bajazet is a tragedy play written by Racine in 1672. The play tells the story of the Ottoman sultan Bajazet and his struggles to maintain power and control. The play explores themes of power, corruption, and the dangers of unchecked ambition. Bajazet is notable for its use of complex characters and its exploration of the complexities of human psychology. The play is also known for its beautiful language and poetic imagery. Bajazet is widely considered one of the greatest plays in French literature.

Mithridate (1673)

Mithridate is a tragedy play written by Racine in 1673. The play tells the story of the ancient king Mithridates and his struggles to maintain power and control in the face of Roman expansion. The play explores themes of power, corruption, and the dangers of unchecked ambition. Mithridate is notable for its use of complex characters and its exploration of the complexities of human psychology. The play is also known for its beautiful language and poetic imagery. Mithridate is widely considered one of the greatest plays in French literature.

Iphigénie (1674)

Iphigénie is a tragedy play written by Racine in 1674. The play tells the story of the Greek princess Iphigenia and her struggles to avoid being sacrificed by her father Agamemnon. The play explores themes of tragic love.

To end up his account of contribution in the field of literature Racine's influence on French literature and theater cannot be overstated. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights in French history, and his plays continue to be performed and studied around the world.

Racine's influence can be seen in the works of many other writers and playwrights, including Voltaire, Molière, and Victor Hugo. His plays have also been translated into many languages and have had a profound impact on the development of theater in Europe and beyond.

In addition to his influence on literature and theater, Racine's legacy can also be seen in the world of art and music. His plays have inspired countless works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and musical compositions.

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