The Cid, the Cinna, the Theatrical Illusion (Penguin Classics) - Softcover

Corneille, Pierre

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140443126 ISBN 13: 9780140443127

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 1975

Synopsis

The Cid, Corneille's masterpiece set in medieval Spain, was the first great work of French classical drama; Cinna, written three years later in 1641, is a tense political drama, while The Theatrical Illusion, an earlier work, is reminiscent of Shakespeare's exuberant comedies.

About this title

About the Author:

Corneille, Pierre
French dramatist. His tragedies, such as Horace (1640), Cinna (1641), and Oedipe (1659), glorify the strength of will governed by reason, and established the French classical dramatic tradition. His first comedy, Mélite, was performed in 1629, followed by others that gained him a brief period of favour with Cardinal Richelieu. His early masterpiece, Le Cid (1636), was attacked by the Academicians, although it received public acclaim, and was produced in the same year as L'Illusion comique/The Comic Illusion. Although Corneille enjoyed public popularity, periodic disfavour with Richelieu marred his career, and it was not until 1639 that Corneille (again in favour) produced plays such as Polyeucte (1643), Le Menteur (1643), and Rodogune (1645), leading to his election to the Académie in 1647.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 1975
• ISBN 10: 0140443126
• ISBN 13: 9780140443127
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288