Who wrote the Henriade in 1723 to honor Henry IV of France?
Voltaire wrote the Henriade in 1723 to honor the life of Henry IV of France. The poem celebrates a king who would soon become Henry IV after being known as Henry of Navarre.
Questions about Henriade
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the ostensible subject of the Henriade by Voltaire?
The ostensible subject of the Henriade is the siege of Paris in 1589 by Henry III and Henry of Navarre. Voltaire kept human action confined between Paris and Ivry to preserve Aristotelian unity of place.
When did Voltaire first print the work under the title La Ligue?
Voltaire first printed the work under the title La Ligue in 1723. It reprinted dozens of times within Voltaire's lifetime after its initial release.
How many chants or cantos does the Henriade consist of?
The poem consists of ten chants or cantos divided into two major parts. The first part remains strictly from an historical point of view with factual material only while the second part draws more strongly from Voltaire's imagination.
Why do some critics claim the Henriade lacks originality?
Critics claimed it lacked originality or novel inspiration beyond what others had done before. Morley noted on page 153 that some remarked this low standard came from non-comprehension.