"Father of French Tragedy". Pierre Corneille (1606-1684)

June 6 marks the 420th anniversary of the birth of the famous French dramatist, known as the father of French tragedy and one of the creators of classicism in French literature, Pierre Corneille.

Pierre Corneille (Pierre Corneille) was born on June 6, 1606, in Rouen. He received a legal education and worked as a lawyer and prosecutor for 20 years, while simultaneously writing plays.

In 1629, Corneille made his literary debut with the comedy «Melita,» which was a resounding success. He created an acting troupe that performed his plays. After writing several more comedies, Corneille turned to tragedies–embarking on a path that perfectly suited the nature of his talent. His first tragedy was «Medea.» The era of Corneelle's greatest flourishing encompasses the period between 1636 and 1645.

This period opens with the tragicomedy «Le Cid,» which defined an era in the history of European theater. The play was a massive success. Cardinal Richelieu, who was himself a writer and envied Corneille, incited critics against him. But nothing could overshadow the success of «Le Cid.» All of French society sided with Corneelle. An even special saying emerged: «it is as beautiful as 'Le Cid'». This play was followed by tragedies: «Horace,» «Cinna» (1640), «Polyeuctus» (1643), «Pompey;» as well as comedies: «The Liar» (1643 – 1644), «The Continuation of The Liar,» and the tragedy «Rodogune» (1644 – 1645).

In 1647, Corneille was elected a member of the Academy. He resigned from his judicial position, deciding to devote himself entirely to literature. Soon after, Corneille experienced his first major failure: his play «Pertharit» was heavily criticized (1652). For seven whole years, Corneille abandoned writing. In 1659, he staged «Oedipus,» but the public received this tragedy coldly. His subsequent tragedies were also unsuccessful. A new generation arrived to replace the one to which the author of «Le Cid» belonged. In 1662, Corneille moved from Rouen to Paris. The King granted him an allowance of 2,000 livres per year, but it was not always provided.

Pierre Corneille died on October 1, 1684, in Paris at the age of 78.

He was buried in the Parisian church of Saint-Roch (Église Saint-Roch). Since he died in poverty, there was not even a memorial plaque on his grave for a long time; it was installed much later.

Bibliography:

1. Corneille, Pierre. Oeuvres [Text] T. 4. Pompee. Le Menteur. Rodogune, princesse des Parthes / P. Corneille. - Paris : L. Hachette et Cie, 1862. - 514 p.
2. Corneille, P.  Oeuvres [Text] T. 4 / P. Corneelle. - Paris : [s. n.], 1758. - 341 p.
3. Corneille, Pierre. Oeuvres [Text] T. 5. [Theodore, vierge et martyre, tragedie chretienne. Heraclius, empereur d'Orient, tragedie. Andromede, tragedie. Don Sanche d'Aragon, comedie heroique. Nicomede, tragedie]  / P. Corneille. - Paris : Hachette, 1862. - 596 p.
4. Corneille, P.  Oeuvres [Text] T. 5. La mort de Pompee... Rodogune... Theodore / P. Corneille. - Paris : [s. n.], 1758. - 381 p.
5. Corneille, Pierre. Oeuvres [Text] T. 8. Sophonisbe. Othon. Agesilas. Attila / P. Corneille. - Paris : Desprez, 1758. - 334 p.
6. Corneille, Pierre. Oeuvres [Text] T. 8. L'imitation de Jesus Christ. . Livres 1-4 / P. Corneille. - Paris : L. Hachette et Cie, 1862. - 695 p.
7. Corneille, P.  Oeuvres [Text] T. 8. / P. Corneille. - Paris : [s. n.], 1758. - 334 p.
8. Corneille, P.  Oeuvres [Text] T. 9. Tite et Berenice. Pulcherie. Surena. Au Roi... / P. Corneille. - Paris : [s. n.], 1758. - 346 p.
9. Corneille, P.  Oeuvres [Text] T. 9 / P. Corneille. - Paris : [s. n.], 1862. - 640 p.
10. Corneille, Pierre. Oeuvres [Text]  T. 10. Meslanges poetriques. Oeuvres diverses... Couanges de la Sainte Vierge. Pseoumes / P. Corneille. - Paris : [s. n.], 1758. - 333 p.
11. Corneille, Pierre. Oeuvres [Text] T. 11. Lexique de la langue de P. Corneille: A-H,-avec une introduction grammaticale par Ch. Marty-Laveaux. T. 1 / P. Corneille. - Paris : Hachette et Cie, 1868. - 488 p.
12. Corneille, Pierre. Oeuvres [Text] T. 12. Lexique de la langue de P. Corneille avec une Introduction grammaticale par M. Ch. Marty-Leavaux ; T. 2. I-Z / P. Corneille. - Paris : Hachette, 1862 [1868]. - 572 p.
13. Corneille, Pierre. Theatre [Text] T. 11. Sophonisbe. Les lois de Minos. Les Pelopides ou Atree et Thyeste. Don Pedre / P. Corneille. - Paris : [s. n.], s.a.
14. Corneille, Pierre. Theatre [Text] T. 9. [Agesilas. Attila, Roi des Huns. Berenice de Racine. Tite et Berenice] / P. Corneille. - Paris : Didot, 1796. - 428 p.
15. Corneille, Pierre. Chefs d'oeuvres [Text] T. 1 / P. Corneille. - Paris : Imprimerio de Didot Jeune, 1800. - 313 p.
16. Corneille, Pierre. Chefs d'oeuvres [Text] T. 2. Polyeucte. Le Menteur. Pompee. Rodogune / P. Corneille. - Paris : de l'Imprimerie et de... la fonderie stereotypees de Pierre Didot l'aine, et de Firmin Didot, 1823. - 318 p.
17. Corneille, P.  Envocutement. Histoire d'une seduction [Text] / P. Corneille. - Paris : Ernest Flammarion, editeur, s.a. - 405 p.
18. Corneille, Pierre. Polyeucte martyr arménien [Text]  : tragédie / P. Corneille. - Venise : Typographie Arménienne de Saint Lazare, 1858. - 157 p.