French Literary Movements: Renaissance, Classicism, and Baroque Masters

Triumph of Classicism: Ideals and Influences

Several factors contributed to the triumph of the new ideals of Classicism, including:

• Protection and revival of classical forms.
• The establishment of Aristotelian precepts, supported by literary theorists (preceptists).
• The influence of Cartesianism, fostering a taste for clarity, order, and rigorous structure.

Structural Features of French Classical Theater

The main structural features of the French classical theater are:

1. Separation of Genres and Styles: Tragedy maintains great seriousness and a solemn style.
2. Five-Act Structure: The works typically consist of five acts.
3. Respect for the Three Unities: The following rules must be strictly respected:
   • Unity of Action
   • Unity of Time
   • Unity of Place

Key Authors of the Renaissance Era

François Rabelais (Prose)

Rabelais wrote in prose. He pioneered narrative creation that fuses the epic with a great sense of humor. He wrote a total of five volumes detailing the adventures of Gargantua and Pantagruel, which encapsulate the new ideals of the Renaissance era.

Pierre de Ronsard (Poetry)

Ronsard wrote poetry. He discovered Pindar and developed a great enthusiasm for classical art. He was the founder of La Pléiade, a group of poets who represented Renaissance literature in France. Ronsard advocated writing in imitation of the ancients.

Michel de Montaigne (Essays)

Montaigne, the exemplary figure known as Bordeaux, wrote essays. A core theme of his essays is the question concerning the possibilities of truth and knowledge.

Specific Features of Montaigne's Essays

• They have a free form, allowing the incorporation of new themes.
• The author usually incorporates quotes.
• It is a genre that treats the subject concisely without exhausting it completely.
• They often have a deductive structure.
• They raise and suggest topics based on subjective ideas and digression.

His personal motto, "Que sais-je?" (What do I know?), became a paradigm of the doubt and relativism that prevails in his work, not without irony.

Baroque Era Literary Figures

Pierre Corneille (Drama)

Corneille is considered the greatest dramatic poet of his time, known for works such as Horace and Le Cid. His work is characterized by the presentation of characters who strive for freedom and glory.

Jean Racine (Tragedy)

Racine's works strictly respect the legendary Aristotelian unities of space and time. His dramatic world is often considered superior to Corneille's, noted for its profound human insight and artistic perfection.

Molière (Comedy)

Molière is considered one of the best playwrights of all time. He reshaped the conception of the theatrical text and merged the spectacle, drawing upon all traditions, from the Latin and the medieval to the Commedia dell'arte. Among his crucial works are:

• Moral Works: Tartuffe, Don Juan, etc.
• Entertainment Works: L'Avare (The Miser), Le Médecin malgré lui (The Doctor in Spite of Himself), etc.