French Classical Drama: Racine, Molière, and 17th-Century Theater

Jean Racine and the Principles of French Classicism

Jean Racine (1639-1699) was a significant dramatic author of the 17th century in France. His works are characterized by:

• Respect for the basic rules of classicism: one conflict, one day, and one place.
• Incorporation of myths from Greek and ancient Roman literature. He always sought inspiration for his plays in the classical world and remained true to the stories of myths.
• Adherence to the principle of decorum, ensuring no socially unacceptable situations are depicted.
• Centrally simple plots, with each based on a single conflict.
• The conflict's axis is passionate love, as love in Racine's works triggers intense passion.
• Facts are reduced to the minimum; for this reason, the conflict is expressed in the first act.
• Characters have psychological depth, living in a torturous way into sin.
• The outcome is presented in Act 4.

Key Principles of Classical Theater

• Imitation: The artist must mimic nature, and what does not occur to him must be something credible in real life. Reason guides the principle of classical imitation.
• Likelihood: Resemblance to reality; nothing incredible should be shown.
• Separation of Genres: Combinations of genres, unlike in the Baroque period, are not allowed.
• Rule of Three Units: One conflict throughout the story, occurring within one day, and in one place.
• Purpose: To produce art and instruct.
• Decorum: Must not contain socially unacceptable situations.
• The Utterance: Seeks purity and clarity of language. There are rules to follow and be bound by; the work must adapt to a predetermined model.

Characteristics of 17th-Century French Classical Theater

1. Royal patronage required a formal and disciplined art, akin to aristocratic taste.
2. Aristocratic concepts emphasized the rule of reason over imagination. These provisions required:
   • A separation of genres and styles. Tragedy must have a solemn style, written in verse; characters from the lower classes are only represented in comedy, in verse or prose.
   • Works must consist of five acts.
   • Excessive pathos must be avoided, especially in scenes involving death, to maintain good taste.
   • Respect for the three rules of unity: action, place, and time.
3. Didactic Purpose: Art must help to correct vices and bad habits, thus fulfilling a social function.

Molière: Innovation in French Comedy

Molière's Comedy: He introduced nuances from both farce and tragedy, achieving a perfect combination of depth and humor. His characters are complex, natural, rich, verisimilar, and psychologically structured. He rebelled against the rule of three units, though he accepted its terms, stating that comedy was correct when men enjoyed themselves and it attacked the corruption of certain noblemen, falsehood, and hypocrisy.

Molière's Life and Major Works

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, the French playwright known as Molière, was born in 1622 into a bourgeois family. However, he left this life of luxury and comfort for a vocation in theater. He received excellent humorous training. As an author, actor, and theater director, he founded his own theater company and satirized the customs of his time with a strong ethical stance. His notable works include: The Miser (1663), Tartuffe (1664), and Don Juan (1665). He died in 1673 while acting in The Imaginary Invalid.