Pierre Corneille, hailed as the founder of French tragedy, stood as one of the era's preeminent dramatists. His prolific career, spanning nearly four decades, shaped the trajectory of French tragic theater. Corneille's works are celebrated for their exploration of complex characters facing profound moral dilemmas. His enduring legacy lies in his masterful construction of dramatic tension and his profound insights into the human condition.
Richard Wilbur's translations bring to life two notable plays by Pierre Corneille. "Le Cid," a tragedy set in Seville, explores the themes of honor and the limitations of romantic love. In contrast, "The Liar" is a comedic farce set in France, focusing on love and misunderstandings, culminating in a joyful resolution. These translations serve as valuable resources for actors, students, and theater enthusiasts alike.
Set in seventh-century Milan, the play follows Pertarito, the exiled king believed dead after being usurped by Grimoaldo. Grimoaldo, who plans to marry Pertarito's sister Eduige, instead desires Rodelinda, Pertarito's supposed widow. The narrative unfolds with Pertarito's unexpected return, leading to a confrontation where Grimoaldo dismisses him as an impostor. Despite its initial poor reception, the play inspired Italian adaptations that served as libretti for notable operas, including Handel's famous version featuring Rodelinda.
Freely adapted by playwright Tony Kushner, The Illusion triumphs as a thoroughly modern rendering of Pierre Corneille's neoclassical French comedy, L'Illusion Comique. This adaptation offers readers the exquisite wordplay, beguiling comedy and fierce intelligence found in all of Kushner's work.The Illusion follows a contrite father, Pridamant, seeking news of his prodigal son from the sorcerer Alcandre. The magician conjures three episodes from the young man's life. Inexplicably, each scene finds the boy in a slightly different world: names change, allegiances shift and fairy-tale simplicity evolves into elegant tragedy. Pridamant watches, enthralled by the boy's struggles, but only as the strange tale reaches its conclusion does the father confront the ultimate-and unexpected-truth about his son. An enchanting argument for the power of theatrical imagination over reality, "The Illusion" weaves obsession and caprice, romance and murder, fact and fiction, into an enticing exploration of the greatest illusion of all-love.
The book is a facsimile reprint, which means it replicates the original text but may include imperfections like marks, notations, marginalia, and flawed pages. This aspect offers readers a glimpse into the historical context and authenticity of the original work, providing a unique experience for those interested in its content.
New translations of the great French neoclassical dramatist's classic work on Spain's legendary hero, his best-known political, and Roman, play, and an early, bizarre comedy.
Described by Pierre Corneille as a "strange monster," this five-act play, originally labeled a comedy, showcases a blend of caprice and extravagance. Written in 1635 and staged the following year, it disappeared from the theater for three centuries until its revival in 1937 by Louis Jouvet and the Comédie Française. Since then, it has gained recognition as Corneille's baroque masterpiece, highlighting its unique place in theatrical history.
The book is a facsimile reprint of an original antiquarian work, highlighting its cultural significance despite potential imperfections like marks and flawed pages. It aims to protect and promote classic literature by providing a high-quality, modern edition that remains true to the original text, ensuring accessibility for readers interested in historical works.