Jean Racine

Phedre

Tragedy of passion where queen's illicit love leads to madness and ruin

About the author

Jean Racine
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.

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