The tragedy of Horace, written by Pierre Cornell, was put on the Paris scene in early 1640. The premiere did not bring the playwright of momentary fame, but her success gradually increased. Constantly in the repertoire of the Comedy Francoise Theater, her production has withstood a huge number of performances.
Short biography of the author
The author of the Horace tragedy, Cornel Pierre, a famous French playwright, translator, poet, and the father of the French tragedy, was born in 1606 in the city of Rouen, France. As an adult, he studied at a Jesuit college, trained as a lawyer, and worked as a prosecutor. In total, until 1635 he worked in a variety of official positions. Subsequently, he devoted himself to drama, since 1647 a member of the French Academy. He lived in Paris since 1662. Pierre Cornell died in 1684 alone and in deep need.
The tragedy of Horace
Cornel completed the monumental tragic work “Horace” at the end of 1639. For the first time it was staged at the theater du Mare in the spring of 1640. In early 1641, the tragedy came out in print.
Researchers of the work of Pierre Cornell and critics are unanimous in their opinion that the author created a work that shows with incredible force the political goals of an absolutist state. Namely:
- a nation must be one;
- feudal anarchy must be liquidated;
- the power of the monarch is unconditional;
- civic duty and duties should be above personal interests and preferences.
In Horace, Cornell shows a hero who faces a choice - to be guided in his behavior by feelings, family responsibilities, or to fulfill a duty to the state. The ancient Roman atmosphere of the tragedy is just a screen to show the pressing social problems of the period in which Pierre Cornell lives. The conflict situation in the tragedy is extremely naked. And the situation is masterfully shown through the symmetry of the characters of the work.
Pierre Cornell, “Horace”: a brief summary, the beginning of the plot
The events of the tragedy unfold at a time when Ancient Rome had not yet become the center of the Ancient World. He was only a small city-state under the control of the kings. Ruler Tull is shown by Cornel as a wise ruler. During his reign, Rome had a rival - the powerful city of Alba Long.
Until recently, cities were allies. However, during the development of the play, they are at war. Between the warring armies are small battles, skirmishes. The situation escalated when the Albanian army approached the walls of Rome and the main battle is expected.
The choice of warriors for the duel
However, before the decisive battle, the leader of the Alps Longa approached the Roman king of Tula with a proposal on the need to take measures to prevent mutual complete destruction. He persuaded the Roman to make a resolution of the existing contradictions to a duel of soldiers, three people on each side. And the battle must be abandoned, since the Albanians and the Romans are one people, moreover, they are interconnected by numerous blood and kindred ties. Under the terms of the fight, the kings agreed that whose wars would be defeated, that city would become a vassal of the city of winners.
On the Roman side, lots fell on three brothers from the Horace family. On the opposite side, from the city of Alba Long, three brothers-fighters from the Kuriatsiev family will have to perform. Clans of Horatiev and Kuriatsiev are tied with friendly and family ties. In the older brother of the Horatiev family, Sabina’s wife is the sister of the Curiazi brothers. And the sister of Horatiev Camila is engaged to an older brother from the Kuriatsiy clan.
Before the fight
In the course of the development of the plot of the tragedy of P. Cornell "Horace", men and women communicate with each other. They discuss the problem of choice, namely, that the main thing is duty or feelings. All the main characters agree that debt comes first, but they come to this conclusion differently. So, the elder brother of Curation considers such a debt "sad." Accepting the battle, he remains true to his friendly feelings for Horace. But the senior Horace believes that feelings are null and void, they need to be swept aside.
The head of the family, old Horace, stops the communication of the heroes and orders the son-in-law and son to surrender to the will of the gods and go to fulfill a high duty.
But the brothers ’fight may not take place. After the soldiers stood against each other, a murmur began in the ranks of both armies. The soldiers were dissatisfied with the decision of their kings. In their opinion, a duel is a crime, a fratricidal massacre.
The king of the Romans Tull listened to the voice of the soldiers and declared: sacrifices will be made in order to find out from the internal organs of the killed animals whether the gods confirm the choice of fighters or not.
However, the hope that the duel will be canceled is quenched after the old Horace reports: the gods agree to the duel of the brothers.
The duel of Horace with Curation
From the content of Pierre Cornell’s tragedy “Horace” it is clear that there are no battle scenes in it. The progress of the fights is reported by witnesses. Not shown fights friends who have become enemies of the will of duty. So, one of those present at the fights informs the old Horace and the women present that his eldest son had fled from the battlefield from the Curiazia chasing him. In this case, the other two of his son are already killed. Old Horace is beside himself with grief, believes that his eldest son inflicted indelible disgrace on the family. However, after some time another news comes - the flight of his eldest son is only a military trick. The brothers of Curation were pursuing him behind each other due to the presence of various wounds received in the course of the duel with opponents. Horace Sr., alone, exhausted in the pursuit of his pursuers, was killed one by one.
The Romans celebrate Horace's victory, as he brought victory to their city. At the same time, the author shows the suffering of his sister Camilla. She lost two brothers and her betrothed. But the victor tells her that he has fulfilled a sacred duty to Rome. However, Camilla curses the city for allowing her to kill her lover.
The trial of Horace
Hearing such words, an angry Horace kills Camilla. At a subsequent trial after this crime, old Horace defends his son. Declares that having hit his sister with a sword, he was guided by a sense of duty, since he could not tolerate the words of blasphemy spoken by Camilla in relation to the fatherland.
King Tull, who appears before the audience as a wise judge, also defends Horace and forgives him. Tells everyone present that he is a hero who, by his actions on the battlefield, magnified Rome. Such people, according to the Roman king, are a reliable support to their masters. General law does not rule over them, and Horace will live on.
Brief conclusions
The tragedy of Pierre Cornell "Horace", like his other works, shows people what they should be for an absolutist state. His characters have an unbending will in the performance of a stern duty.
From the comments of critics it follows that in Horace the author successfully embodied the Aristotelian principle that tragedy is a reproduction of only important events, the heroes in it are strong people, and their emotional experiences lead exclusively to irreversible and negative consequences. At the same time, Pierre Cornell skillfully lures viewers into the plots of tragedy, remembering that they are attracted only by the suffering, calamities that are characteristic of themselves.
Even the content of the short “Horace” by Cornell reveals the main purpose of the author - patriotism is in the forefront. The author, drawing the image of the old Horace, shows the highest pathos, because the character puts the state above family and kindred principles, he is ready to accept the death of his son, who brought him shame.
Judging by the reviews of classic lovers who want to learn more about Cornel’s work “Horace”, a brief summary of this work is not worth reading. Only the syllable of this work, courageous and chased, most fully conveys the high spirit of the heroes of the tragedy.
From most of the reader’s reviews of this work of Cornell, it follows that the play is constantly in suspense. It lacks unpredictable plot twists. They cannot leave the reader indifferent and make you worry about the fate of the main characters.