Jean Racine
France's supreme tragedian, Racine distilled classical drama to its essence in plays of psychological intensity and perfect Alexandrine verse. His heroines in particular—Phèdre, Bérénice, Andromaque—are among the most compelling in all theater. He retired at 37 and returned to playwriting only once.
Works
- AndromaqueClassical tragedy depicting captive princess caught between love and duty to homeland
- BritannicusPolitical tragedy exploring ambition and conspiracy at Roman imperial court
- BereniceTragedy of passion where widow sacrifices love to maternal duty and decorum
- PhedreTragedy of passion where queen's illicit love leads to madness and ruin
- AthalieBiblical tragedy depicting Jewish queen Athaliah's defeat by rightful king
- PhèdreTragedy of passion where queen's illicit love leads to madness and ruin
- BéréniceTragedy of passion where widow sacrifices love to maternal duty and decorum
- IphigénieTragedy depicting sacrifice of princess daughter for military victory of Greeks