Literature of the world : an introductory study . le, but greater ease and a nearer approach to the human pas-sions, making a much freer use of the love intrigue than doesCorneille. Racines idea can hardly be said to be that of holdingthe mirror up to nature, but rather of producing tragedies uponthe Classical model, which he did supremely well. His genius lieschiefly in his creations of feminine character. In almost all hisplays the women are much more important than the men, and it isthrough them that Racine achieves his high distinction as spokes-man of the human emotions.^ 1 Perhaps the ne
Literature of the world : an introductory study . le, but greater ease and a nearer approach to the human pas-sions, making a much freer use of the love intrigue than doesCorneille. Racines idea can hardly be said to be that of holdingthe mirror up to nature, but rather of producing tragedies uponthe Classical model, which he did supremely well. His genius lieschiefly in his creations of feminine character. In almost all hisplays the women are much more important than the men, and it isthrough them that Racine achieves his high distinction as spokes-man of the human emotions.^ 1 Perhaps the nearest parallel in English to the French classical tragedy isAddisons Cato. 220 LITERATURE OF THE WORLD Great as arc the names of Corneille and Racine in the field ofFrench drama, that of Jean Baptiste Poquelin, called Moliere, isgreater still. And his greatness is all the more remarkable becausehis plays are comedies, coming from the rather ignoble pedigree offarce and claptrap. Moliere was born in Paris in 1622. He re-ceived a good education at. the famous Jesuit collegeof Clermont, studied law,and is said to have beencalled to the bar. His firstattempt at organizing atheatrical company was afailure. He persisted, how-ever, in his ambition andfor thirteen years touredthe provinces with a com-pany the most notablemember of which wasMadeleine Bejart, who as-sumed the leading femi-nine role in most of hisplays. Upon his return toParis in 1658 he washonored with the patronage of the king, whom for a while he servedas valet de chambre. His marriage to Armande Bejart, sister of hisleading actress, was not a happy one. He wrote over thirty-fiveplays,—some in verse and some in prose,—followed his professionas an actor all through his life, and died in 1673, during a per-formance of Le Malade Imaginaire, almost literally with a partupon his lips. We find back of the laughter of Molieres comedy a penetrat-ing vision of the realities of life and a wisdom that is deep andsometimes alm
Size: 1467px × 1703px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookpublisherbosto, bookyear1922
