Corneille, << kawr NAY, >> Pierre (1606-1684), was a French playwright. He is often called the father of French tragedy, but he is more truly the founder of French heroic comedy. Corneille favored tragicomedy and melodrama over conventional tragedy.
Corneille is best known for his tragicomedy The Cid (1636 or 1637). The French Academy condemned the play for breaking several “classical” rules. These rules held that a play should consist of a single plot in a single location within a day’s time. Violence was also prohibited on stage. Although The Cid broke these rules, it enjoyed great popularity. The play was the first French drama to center on the characters’ inner psychological conflict rather than on external changes alone. In addition, The Cid brought to the French stage a new lyrical language in keeping with the passionate nature of Corneille’s heroes.
The subjects of most of Corneille’s plays are taken from Roman history. Most of his leading characters, like their ancient models, show great pride, patriotism, honor, and stern courage. They are fearless, remorseless, and subject to violent emotions such as hatred, revenge, and superhuman ambition. Many of Corneille’s plays show the effect of Spanish drama, especially in the passionate, boastful, and violent nature of their heroes. This influence pleased his audience, a status-conscious society often at war.
Corneille’s other famous plays include Horace (1640), Cinna (1640), Polyeucte (1642), and Rodogune (1644). He described his theories of drama in three Discourses, which were essays that served as prefaces to a three-volume edition of his plays published in 1660.
Corneille was born on June 6, 1606, in Rouen. He died on Oct. 1, 1684.
