Synopses & Reviews
Four of the greatest French plays, in new translations Here are four plays that continue to define French theater over three centuries after they were written. Corneilles Cinna (1641) explores absolute power in ancient Rome. Molières comedy The Misanthrope (1666) sees its antihero reject society for its hypocrisy. Racines Andromache (1667) recounts the tragedy of Hectors widow after the Trojan War, and his Phaedra (1677) shows a mother crossing the boundaries of love with her stepson. This edition features new verse translations undertaken with performance in mind, and a wealth of supplementary materials for students and actors.
Synopsis
Three plays by Racine For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Synopsis
Strongly influenced by Classical drama, Jean Racine (1639-99) broke away from the grandiose theatricality of baroque drama to create works of intense psychological realism, with characters manipulated by cruel and vengeful gods. Iphigenia depicts a princess's absolute submission to her father's will, despite his determination to sacrifice her to gain divine favour before going to war. Described by Voltaire as 'the masterpiece of the human mind', Phaedra shows a woman's struggle to overcome her overwhelming passion for her stepson - an obsession that brings destruction to a noble family. And Athaliah portrays a ruthless pagan queen, who defies Jehovah in her desperate attempt to keep the throne of Jerusalem from its legitimate heir.
About the Author
Pierre Corneille (16061684), often hailed as the father of French tragedy, made his name with the tragicomedy
Le Cid in 1637. His best-known works include
Horace and
Cinna.
Molière is the pen name of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (16221673), one of the greatest French comedians. His numerous plays include Tartuffe, Le Misanthrope, and LAvare.
Jean Racine (16391699) became known as one of the seventeenth centurys leading playwrights with the neoclassical tragedies Andromaque, Britannicus, and Phèdre.
John Edmunds is the founder-director of the department of theater, film, and television studies at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
Joseph Harris is a senior lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London.