Jean Racine, whose works are known around the world, is the famous French playwright who lived and worked in the 17th century. His work marked the beginning of the classical national theater and earned the same respect as the creations of Moliere and Cornell. Our article will be devoted to the biography and work of this writer.
Jean Racine: a brief biography
J. Racine was born in the city of La Ferte Milon, located in the county of Valois, December 21, 1639. His father served as a petty tax official. Mother died during the difficult birth of her sister Jean, so the grandmother was engaged in raising the boy.
The future writer is sent to the school at the monastery of Port-Royal, where he quickly becomes the best student. Jean Racine studied well, in addition, he was lucky with a teacher of philology, who helped to form the literary tastes of the boy. The writer completed his brilliant education already at the Paris College of Arcourt.
In 1661, Racine went to the town of Huse, where he was to be given church benefit (land), which would allow him to devote all his time to literature. However, the writer was refused and was forced to return to Paris.
In the capital, he becomes a regular in literary salons and clubs, meets Moliere and other writers of that time. Jean Racine himself (whose biography is now in the center of our attention) publishes his first plays, which, however, did not have much success.
Later works brought the writer a real success. However, many critics did not pay tribute to the work of Racine because of his character. Jean was ambitious, irritable and arrogant.
In 1677, he practically stops writing due to the failure of Fedra and becomes a royal historiographer. In the same period, he marries a religious and economic girl who will give him seven children in the future.
Jean Racine died on April 21, 1699 in Paris. He was buried near the church of Saint-Etienne-du-Monts.
"Andromache"
The tragedy was set in 1667 in the Louvre. The presentation was attended by Louis XIV. This was the first play that brought Rasin success and fame.
The work takes place after the Trojan War in the capital of Epirus. King Pyrrhus, son of Achilles, receives a message that the Greeks are offended by the behavior of his father, who sheltered Andromache, the widow of Hector, with his son. The report is delivered by Orestes, in love with Pierre's bride. The tsar himself is more interested in mourning for the husband of Anromache. From this moment begins the death of the ruling family and their state.
Turns to the classical Greek plot, almost without departing from the canon of ancient Greek tragedies, Jean Racine.
We quote here the quotes that most graphically depict the plot of the play: “Enter the heart where the entrance is not locked for everyone! / I can’t accept such a share”, “... love commands us / And kindles ... and quenches the flames of passion. / Whom we want, he is ... not nice to us. / And the one whom we swear ... filled my heart. "
The Briton
In this play, staged in 1669, Jean Racine for the first time in his work addresses the history of Ancient Rome.
Agrippina, the mother of Emperor Nero, is worried that she is losing power over her son. Now he listens more to the advice of Seneca and the military commander Burr. The woman fears that in Nero will awaken willfulness and cruelty - the terrible legacy of his father.
At the same time, Nero orders the kidnapping of Junia, the bride of his brother Britannic. The emperor likes the girl, and he begins to think about a divorce from his barren wife Octavia. The Briton cannot believe in the cunning of his brother and hopes for reconciliation. This destroys the youth.
"Berenice"
In this play, Jean Racine again refers to the Roman theme. The creativity of this period is considered the most outstanding, and the tragedy of "Berenice" has become one of those works that the public received with great enthusiasm.
Roman Emperor Titus is preparing for the wedding with Berenice, Queen of Palestine. At the same time in Rome there is the king of Commagens Antiochus, who has long been in love with the queen. In view of the approaching wedding, he is going to leave the capital. Berenice is sorry to lose a faithful friend, but she cannot give him hope for more.
At the same time, Titus reflects on the fact that the Roman people will certainly be against the foreign queen: "Julius himself (Caesar) ... the Egyptian could not call his wife ...". The emperor cannot speak openly about this bride and asks Antiochus to take her away. Duty to the people is stronger than love.
"Iphigenia"
For this play, which premiered in 1674, Jean Racine took the plot from ancient Greek mythology. The story tells how King Agamemnon during the Trojan War had to sacrifice his own daughter to her in order to gain the protection of the goddess Artemis.
This play was as if not noticed by critics - there were neither enthusiasm nor crushing reviews.
"Fedra"
This tragedy was met with a very negative audience: critics called the work the worst work of Racine. It was after the premiere of "Fedra" (1677) that the playwright ceased to engage in literature. For ten years after this failure, he did not write anything. Although later this particular play will be called the peak of Racine's work.
The tragedy was written in an Alexandrian verse. The plot was based on the unrequited passion of Fedra, the wife of Theseus, to his adopted son Hippolytus. The result of the conflict is the death of both Fedra and Hippolytus.
Racin’s plays, based on ancient subjects, marked the beginning of a whole trend not only in French but also in world literature. To this day, the work of the playwright is highly appreciated not only by critics, but also by the public.