Jean Racine: the story on HearLore

Jean Racine

Jean-Baptiste Racine was born on the 21st of December 1639 in La Ferté-Milon. This small town sat within the province of Picardy in northern France. His mother died in 1641 when he was only two years old. His father followed her into death in 1643. The four-year-old boy found himself under the care of his grandparents. He lived with them until his grandfather passed away in 1649. Marie des Moulins took him to the convent of Port-Royal that same year. This religious institution would shape his entire literary voice for decades to come. The academy taught classical education and Greek mythology. Jansenist theology ran through every lesson at this school. Blaise Pascal studied there alongside young Jean. The bishops condemned their theology as heretical. The Pope also rejected their views. These conflicts marked his early life with tension. He excelled in his studies despite the controversy surrounding his teachers.

Rivalry And Betrayal

Molière produced Racine's first play on stage on the 20th of June 1664. The theater stood at the Palais-Royal in Paris. The tragedy bore the title La Thébaïde ou les frères ennemis. Molière's troupe performed it successfully. A second play called Alexandre le Grand followed the next year. Public feedback encouraged Racine to negotiate secretly with a rival company. The Hôtel de Bourgogne held a better reputation for tragedies. They premiered the play eleven days after its first showing. Molière never forgave this betrayal. Racine widened the rift by seducing Thérèse du Parc. She became both his professional partner and personal companion. The Hôtel de Bourgogne troupe then performed all his secular plays. Pierre Corneille stood as his primary rival during these years. Thomas Corneille was his brother and also a dramatist. Michel le Clerc produced an Iphigénie in 1674. Jacques Pradon wrote a play about Phèdre in 1677. The success of Pradon's work caused Racine to renounce drama temporarily. He earned money from writings more than any French author before him.

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.

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.

Jean Racine

Rivalry And Betrayal

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Common questions

When was Jean Racine born and where did he grow up?

What religious institution shaped Jean Racine's literary voice?

Which play caused Jean Racine to retire from writing drama temporarily?

How many words did Jean Racine restrict his vocabulary to in his plays?

When did Jean Racine die and what was the cause of death?

The Great Tragedies

Retirement And Religious Turn

Courtier And Historian

Stylistic Innovations

Critical Legacy And Reception