When was Jean Racine born and where did he grow up?
Jean-Baptiste Racine was born on the 21st of December 1639 in La Ferté-Milon. He grew up in this small town within the province of Picardy in northern France.
Questions about Jean Racine
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What religious institution shaped Jean Racine's literary voice?
Marie des Moulins took Jean Racine to the convent of Port-Royal in 1649. This religious institution taught classical education, Greek mythology, and Jansenist theology which defined his work for decades.
Which play caused Jean Racine to retire from writing drama temporarily?
Jacques Pradon wrote a play about Phèdre in 1677 that achieved success causing Jean Racine to renounce drama temporarily. He later returned to write Esther in 1689 and Athalie in 1691 for students at Saint-Cyr l'École.
How many words did Jean Racine restrict his vocabulary to in his plays?
Jean Racine restricted his vocabulary to exactly 2500 words throughout his plays. He ruled out all workday expressions to maintain strict adherence to classical unities.
When did Jean Racine die and what was the cause of death?
Jean Racine died in 1699 from cancer of the liver. His remains were moved to Saint-Étienne-du-Mont church after Port-Royal was razed in 1710.