French Neoclassical Theatre shaped 17th-century drama with its focus on order and reason. Molière, Racine, and Corneille were key figures, each bringing unique styles to comedy and tragedy while adhering to strict rules like the Three Unities.
These playwrights' works reflected the era's emphasis on rationality and decorum. Their plays explored universal themes, critiqued society, and showcased complex characters, leaving a lasting impact on theatre history and influencing future generations of dramatists.
French Neoclassicism in Theatre
Principles and Influence
- French Neoclassicism emerged in the 17th century as a reaction to Baroque theatre excesses emphasized order, reason, and adherence to classical models
- Three Unities doctrine (time, place, and action) formed a fundamental principle derived from interpretations of Aristotle's Poetics
- Verisimilitude crucial in Neoclassical drama required realistic plots and characters to maintain audience engagement
- Strict separation of genres kept tragedy and comedy distinct and pure
- Bienséance (decorum) governed content and presentation ensured appropriateness for polite society
- Heavily influenced theatrical practices across Europe shaped dramatic theory and criticism for generations
Key Features and Examples
- Emphasis on rationality and logic in plot construction (Racine's "Phèdre")
- Characters represented universal types rather than individuals (Molière's miserly Harpagon in "The Miser")
- Formal language and verse structures predominated (alexandrine verse in Corneille's "Le Cid")
- Minimal stage settings and effects focused attention on dialogue and acting
- Themes often explored moral dilemmas or social critiques (Molière's "Tartuffe" satirizing religious hypocrisy)
- Plays typically set in a single location over a short period (Racine's "Andromaque" occurring in one day)
Molière's Satirical Comedies
Comedic Techniques and Themes
- Employed stock characters and situations to critique societal norms and human foibles particularly those of French aristocracy and bourgeoisie
- Balanced farce and physical comedy with sharp wit and intellectual humor appealed to both high and low culture
- Challenged religious hypocrisy and false piety risked censorship and controversy ("Tartuffe")
- Perfected "comedy of manners" used exaggerated character types to expose and ridicule social conventions
- Featured strong, intelligent female characters challenged patriarchal norms ("The Learned Ladies", "The School for Wives")
- Blended comedy with serious philosophical questions about sincerity and social conformity ("The Misanthrope")
Notable Works and Legacy
- "The Misanthrope" explored tension between honesty and social niceties through protagonist Alceste
- "Tartuffe" satirized religious hypocrisy through the character of a false devout
- "The Imaginary Invalid" mocked hypochondria and the medical profession
- "The Miser" critiqued greed and its effects on family relationships
- Continued global performance and adaptation of plays cemented status as master of comedic theatre
- Influenced development of character-driven comedy in subsequent centuries (Restoration comedy, Oscar Wilde)
- Coined phrases entered common language usage ("Tartuffe" for a hypocrite, "Harpagon" for a miser)
Racine and Corneille's Tragic Plays
Racine's Tragic Style
- Focused on intense psychological conflicts and destructive power of passion adhered closely to Neoclassical unities
- Drew heavily from classical sources particularly Greek and Roman mythology and history
- Featured tighter adherence to unities and more austere style compared to Corneille
- Used alexandrine verse (12-syllable lines with a caesura) reflected Neoclassical emphasis on formal structure
- Often centered on female protagonists and their internal struggles ("Phèdre", "Andromaque")
- Emphasized psychological realism and exploration of human nature
- Employed simple plots with few characters intensified dramatic tension
Corneille's Approach to Tragedy
- Explored themes of duty, honor, and political conflict sometimes challenged Neoclassical conventions
- Drew from classical sources and historical events for tragic narratives ("Le Cid", "Horace")
- Occasionally took liberties with Neoclassical rules for dramatic effect
- Used alexandrine verse maintained formal structure while allowing for rhetorical flourishes
- Frequently centered on male heroes facing moral dilemmas ("Le Cid", "Cinna")
- Explored conflict between passion and duty as central theme
- Incorporated elements of heroic drama emphasized grand emotions and noble characters
Molière vs Racine vs Corneille
Genre and Style Differences
- Molière primarily wrote comedies while Racine and Corneille specialized in tragedies reflected Neoclassical separation of genres
- Molière's language more colloquial and accessible whereas Racine and Corneille employed elevated, poetic language in tragedies
- Molière created memorable comic types Racine focused on psychological depth Corneille emphasized heroic ideals
- Molière and Corneille occasionally bent Neoclassical rules for dramatic effect Racine more strict in adherence
- Molière used prose and verse flexibly Racine and Corneille strictly adhered to alexandrine verse
Thematic Approaches
- All addressed issues of love and desire with different approaches:
- Molière often satirized romantic conventions ("The Misanthrope")
- Racine explored destructive passions ("Phèdre")
- Corneille examined love in conflict with duty ("Le Cid")
- Social commentary differed:
- Molière directly satirized contemporary society ("The Bourgeois Gentleman")
- Racine and Corneille used historical or mythological settings to comment indirectly ("Britannicus", "Horace")
- Treatment of characters:
- Molière focused on flaws and foibles for comedic effect (Harpagon in "The Miser")
- Racine delved into psychological complexities (Phèdre's inner turmoil)
- Corneille highlighted moral struggles and heroism (Rodrigue in "Le Cid")