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Polyeucte
Pierre Corneille was a 17th century dramatist who produced plays over a 40 year span. Along with Moliere and Racine he is considered to be the founder of French tragedy. He is best known for El Cid which was a 1636 tragic/comedy. Written in 1641 Polyeucte was based on the life of the martyr Saint Polyeuctus. Polyeucte is a tragic drama in which Polyeucte, son-in-law to the pagan governor of Armenia, converts to Christianity, an act for which he is condemned to death. His wife, Pauline, who has never loved him, now finds her admiration for him turning into true love.
104 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1641
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529 people want to read
About the author
Pierre Corneille
1,915 books153 followersPierre Corneille était l'un des trois grands dramaturges français du XVIIe siècle , avec Molière et Racine. Il a été appelé «le fondateur de la tragédie française» et était productive pendant près de quarante ans.
Vous pouvez lire son oeuvre sur:
- http://www.poesies.net/corneille.html
- http://gallica.bnf.fr/Search?ArianeWi...
Pierre Corneille was one of the three great seventeenth-century French dramatists, along with Molière and Racine. He has been called "the founder of French tragedy" and produced plays for nearly forty years.
You can read his works (in French) on:
- http://www.poesies.net/corneille.html
- http://gallica.bnf.fr/Search?ArianeWi...
Vous pouvez lire son oeuvre sur:
- http://www.poesies.net/corneille.html
- http://gallica.bnf.fr/Search?ArianeWi...
Pierre Corneille was one of the three great seventeenth-century French dramatists, along with Molière and Racine. He has been called "the founder of French tragedy" and produced plays for nearly forty years.
You can read his works (in French) on:
- http://www.poesies.net/corneille.html
- http://gallica.bnf.fr/Search?ArianeWi...
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 30, 2020
I ended up reading this work through a combination of a couple of recommendations to read Corneille and it serving as a useful text for one of my essays.
This is the first tragedy by Corneille that I've read. George Steiner describes Corneille as a writer very much in love with the theatre (according to him, unlike Racine), tied to the provincial rather than the courtly, in tune with daily life rather than the court at Versailles.
The story of a Roman convert to Christianity, Polyeucte is certainly a play full of dramatic moments. That said, it is also a play which is deeply rooted in language, communication, and messengers. Unfortunately, in translation the formal demands of the French Alexandrine with rhyming couplets are lost. For example, 'rang' and 'sang' are rendered (rightly) into the English 'rank' and 'blood'; in so doing, however, we lose the way in which the rhyme contributes to constructing the tension in the passage as Polyeucte's friend tells him he must foresake all rank for his new faith. 'rang' and 'sang' are an additionally evocative rhyme with the double sense of 'sang' as in blood (in this case, blood spilt through martyrdom) and family lineage (Polyeucte's being aristocratic, highlighting the sacrifices he must make for this new faith of his - including the loss of his own wife). This is an important qualification when reading the French neoclassical form (with its exactness) in translation. Nevertheless, the beauty of the language is still evident throughout and the story as a whole still shines through translation.
It was also very interesting reading a writer who, along with Racine, was often pitted against Shakespeare in subsequent English and French generations of writers in attempting to resolve which mode of theatre was better. Reading Corneille promises to be a very different experience to reading Shakespearean tragedy but that is all part of what makes it so appealing.
The ending, without spoiling it, is likely to leave some readers very unsatisfied as forced. I think, on the contrary, that it is compellingly and carefully drawn together.
This is the first tragedy by Corneille that I've read. George Steiner describes Corneille as a writer very much in love with the theatre (according to him, unlike Racine), tied to the provincial rather than the courtly, in tune with daily life rather than the court at Versailles.
The story of a Roman convert to Christianity, Polyeucte is certainly a play full of dramatic moments. That said, it is also a play which is deeply rooted in language, communication, and messengers. Unfortunately, in translation the formal demands of the French Alexandrine with rhyming couplets are lost. For example, 'rang' and 'sang' are rendered (rightly) into the English 'rank' and 'blood'; in so doing, however, we lose the way in which the rhyme contributes to constructing the tension in the passage as Polyeucte's friend tells him he must foresake all rank for his new faith. 'rang' and 'sang' are an additionally evocative rhyme with the double sense of 'sang' as in blood (in this case, blood spilt through martyrdom) and family lineage (Polyeucte's being aristocratic, highlighting the sacrifices he must make for this new faith of his - including the loss of his own wife). This is an important qualification when reading the French neoclassical form (with its exactness) in translation. Nevertheless, the beauty of the language is still evident throughout and the story as a whole still shines through translation.
It was also very interesting reading a writer who, along with Racine, was often pitted against Shakespeare in subsequent English and French generations of writers in attempting to resolve which mode of theatre was better. Reading Corneille promises to be a very different experience to reading Shakespearean tragedy but that is all part of what makes it so appealing.
The ending, without spoiling it, is likely to leave some readers very unsatisfied as forced. I think, on the contrary, that it is compellingly and carefully drawn together.
December 10, 2022
Pauline : Quittez cette chimère, et m'aimez.
Polyeucte : Je vous aime,
Beaucoup moins que mon Dieu, mais bien plus que moi-même.
(Acte IV, scène III)
L'une des dernières tragédies religieuses classiques écrites. Pas ma préférée de Corneille mais elle était sympa
Polyeucte : Je vous aime,
Beaucoup moins que mon Dieu, mais bien plus que moi-même.
(Acte IV, scène III)
L'une des dernières tragédies religieuses classiques écrites. Pas ma préférée de Corneille mais elle était sympa
November 28, 2025
En værre omgang kristen propaganga.
Det er svært at læse stykket som en tragedie, når replikker som "Dost thou not see thou slayest thy daughter with him?" indgår. Det er jo bare ren fis og ballade.
Det er svært at læse stykket som en tragedie, når replikker som "Dost thou not see thou slayest thy daughter with him?" indgår. Det er jo bare ren fis og ballade.
November 1, 2020
People in the English-speaking world don't seem to read Pierre Corneille very much any more, and I think it is a shame. I wonder what it is that deters them. Perhaps it is the moral magnificence of the characters in a play like Polyeucte.
Set in Armenia during the rule of the emperor Decius (249-251 AD), it tells of the governor's son-in-law Polyeucte, and how he suddenly professes Christianity in such a way that his friend Nearchus is executed at once and he himself is awaiting death. Everyone wants to cut him slack, including his father-in-law Felix and the Roman conqueror Severus, who had been (and still is) in love with Polyeucte's wife Paulina.
In the end, it seems that Christianity seems to win out, with all the characters admitting that the Roman gods are toast. But there's that Roman emperor in power that has it in for the Christians.
This is an excellent play.
Set in Armenia during the rule of the emperor Decius (249-251 AD), it tells of the governor's son-in-law Polyeucte, and how he suddenly professes Christianity in such a way that his friend Nearchus is executed at once and he himself is awaiting death. Everyone wants to cut him slack, including his father-in-law Felix and the Roman conqueror Severus, who had been (and still is) in love with Polyeucte's wife Paulina.
In the end, it seems that Christianity seems to win out, with all the characters admitting that the Roman gods are toast. But there's that Roman emperor in power that has it in for the Christians.
This is an excellent play.
December 29, 2022
Les alexandrins parfaits de Corneille miam
November 25, 2025
Pauline er dum, vælg nu Severe som ikke står og opvejer dig med en religion🤦♀️ er ved at være træt af de her martyrer
September 1, 2023
pas mal du tout bcp de drama super bien écrit c'est du bon travail Corneille bien joué, la fin part juste un petit peu en freestyle
February 23, 2014
Corneille is no Shakespeare. By that I mean there are no characters with one word entrances and exits, no comic relief, no extensive cast, and no grand scene changes. A character of Chorus, however, might have been helpful, as I did have to research the background of this play; it is fairly amazing to think the general public of 17th century France might have immediately "gotten" this play. This English translation, as I do not parle, had couplets, an abab rhyme scheme, syllabic short lines, syllabic LONG lines, rhymes across characters' lines, and even ONE unrhymed soliloquy. I am sure it had to be tweaked from the original, but all I can do is trust the translator Thomas Constable. I did enjoy this and I want to read more Corneille. Despite the fact I could probably be called (or cursed, depending on your personal beliefs) a Post-Modern Christian who likes Spong and Ehrman AND Jesus, the dated faith of the piece was not a turn-off.
I read the 50 page Gutengerg free edition:
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2543
The play does take place in Armenia. Hey, the FIRST nation to declare Christianity the state religion: Armenia.....just a factoid.
Need a break from bawdy Moliere? Try serious Corneille.
I read the 50 page Gutengerg free edition:
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2543
The play does take place in Armenia. Hey, the FIRST nation to declare Christianity the state religion: Armenia.....just a factoid.
Need a break from bawdy Moliere? Try serious Corneille.
November 15, 2017
A fairly good drama, though, by modern standards, too rigid in following Aristotle’s unities. The reader must take into account that this is a religious play. As such, certain assumptions are required. An atheist or agnostic will laugh at the “pretensions” but the open-minded should appreciate this play for its character development. The ending is disappointingly contrived but suits Corneille’s purpose: to elicit pride in Christian martyrdom.
January 17, 2026
*1,5 stjerne.
Gab, hvor var den kedelige. Den er skrevet på meget gammelt engelsk, hvilket er som at læse engelsk af en som er meget dårlig til engelsk, hvilket er enormt forvirrende. Jeg vidste jo godt fra starten af, at han ville dø (fordi det er et martyr drama), men det tog godt nok lang tid før vi kom dertil.
Gab, hvor var den kedelige. Den er skrevet på meget gammelt engelsk, hvilket er som at læse engelsk af en som er meget dårlig til engelsk, hvilket er enormt forvirrende. Jeg vidste jo godt fra starten af, at han ville dø (fordi det er et martyr drama), men det tog godt nok lang tid før vi kom dertil.
January 10, 2010
I don't have any recollection of this play, and I don't think it was included in any of my papers for the class.
June 17, 2016
Fantastic play originally, but the English translation by Thomas Constable is, in my opinion, an atrocity. If you are going to read it in English I hope you find a better one.
May 13, 2021
J'avoue être très surprise, surtout que j'avais acheté ce livre plus pour l'objet livre (une édition de 1930 annotée par un élève en 1946-47, avec une jolie couverture à l'ancienne) que pour le texte lui-même.
Déjà, j'ai sauté l'introduction de 60 et quelques pages pour arriver au texte : je déteste qu'on décortique l'histoire dans tous ses détails avant que je la lise sous prétexte qu'il s'agit d'un classique, bande de divulgacheurs ! Ensuite, j'arrive sur la première page du texte : "martyr - tragédie chrétienne". Flûte, il vient juste de commencer à faire un peu soleil, je voulais passer une journée relax, j'ai peut-être mal choisi mon moment pour attaquer Corneille. Et ce n'est pas fini : 6 lignes de texte écrites en gros, 10 lignes de notes écrites en petits caractères. 2e page : 12 lignes de texte, 29 lignes de notes (*soupir*). La moitié de chaque page était en fait composée de notes, que j'ai allègrement envoyées au diable (après tout, c'est une tragédie chrétienne !) et je me suis contentée du texte lui-même - il faudrait que je trouve une adaptation théâtrale en ligne.
Et donc, j'ai attaqué la lecture... et je me suis rapidement prise au jeu. Si Corneille a traversé les siècles, c'est qu'il y a de bonnes raisons, en particulier la puissance de son écriture. Certes, il y a eu des retournements dramatiques un peu capillo-tractés (je pense en particulier à la fin), mais les personnages étaient bien campés, les passions éclataient même si, en bon drame cornélien, elles restaient sous contrôle, la situation était compliquée et on imaginait bien que tout cela allait mal finir - sinon ça ne s'appellerait pas une tragédie. Ceci dit, la fin était inattendue pour moi, bien qu'un peu faible. Mais dans l'ensemble, mes souvenirs scolaires de Corneille viennent d'être dépoussiérés et je le considère d'un oeil neuf. J'y reviendrai donc plus tard avec plaisir.
"Ah ! Pauline, en effet, tu m'as trop obéi ;
Ton courage était bon, ton devoir t'a trahi.
Que ta rébellion m'eût été favorable !
Qu'elle m'eût garanti d'un état déplorable !"
Pfffttt, père indigne, sa fille lui a obéi mais c'est de sa faute si tout tourne mal !
Déjà, j'ai sauté l'introduction de 60 et quelques pages pour arriver au texte : je déteste qu'on décortique l'histoire dans tous ses détails avant que je la lise sous prétexte qu'il s'agit d'un classique, bande de divulgacheurs ! Ensuite, j'arrive sur la première page du texte : "martyr - tragédie chrétienne". Flûte, il vient juste de commencer à faire un peu soleil, je voulais passer une journée relax, j'ai peut-être mal choisi mon moment pour attaquer Corneille. Et ce n'est pas fini : 6 lignes de texte écrites en gros, 10 lignes de notes écrites en petits caractères. 2e page : 12 lignes de texte, 29 lignes de notes (*soupir*). La moitié de chaque page était en fait composée de notes, que j'ai allègrement envoyées au diable (après tout, c'est une tragédie chrétienne !) et je me suis contentée du texte lui-même - il faudrait que je trouve une adaptation théâtrale en ligne.
Et donc, j'ai attaqué la lecture... et je me suis rapidement prise au jeu. Si Corneille a traversé les siècles, c'est qu'il y a de bonnes raisons, en particulier la puissance de son écriture. Certes, il y a eu des retournements dramatiques un peu capillo-tractés (je pense en particulier à la fin), mais les personnages étaient bien campés, les passions éclataient même si, en bon drame cornélien, elles restaient sous contrôle, la situation était compliquée et on imaginait bien que tout cela allait mal finir - sinon ça ne s'appellerait pas une tragédie. Ceci dit, la fin était inattendue pour moi, bien qu'un peu faible. Mais dans l'ensemble, mes souvenirs scolaires de Corneille viennent d'être dépoussiérés et je le considère d'un oeil neuf. J'y reviendrai donc plus tard avec plaisir.
"Ah ! Pauline, en effet, tu m'as trop obéi ;
Ton courage était bon, ton devoir t'a trahi.
Que ta rébellion m'eût été favorable !
Qu'elle m'eût garanti d'un état déplorable !"
Pfffttt, père indigne, sa fille lui a obéi mais c'est de sa faute si tout tourne mal !
January 22, 2023
i liked it! not so much into the religious martyrdom but more into the idea of sticking to your guns regardless of the consequence and staying true to your beliefs. surprisingly gripping to read, didn't think i would like it as much as i did
March 17, 2025
Le kakemphenton m’a bien fait rire
Après c’est une pièce de 17e quoi, limitée par les 3 unîtes, la bienséance, et l’impossibilité de pousser toute réflexion sur le dogme chrétien au vu de l’omnipotence chrétienne.
En représentation ça doit être bien, à lire c’est plutôt bof
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2025
3.5⭐️ Corneille et ses personnages chaotiques j’en peux plus et la fin est comme si on lisait un crack fic MAIS quand même l’idée de garder ses valeurs et ses opinions face à l’adversité m’a plu beaucoup, c’est un thème que je vais toujours apprécier
February 7, 2019
very derivative hagiography. inspired a thrilling piece of music by dukas, however.
July 17, 2019
J'adore Corneille :)
August 24, 2023
Une pièce de théâtre trop longue qui n'a pas su m'intéresser
January 13, 2024
Interesting historical fiction. I read it on gutenburg.org in English. The ending is tragic but interesting of the impact of not only Polyeucte's sacrifice but also of Pauline's devotion.
January 18, 2024
« Pauline, je verrais qu'un autre vous possède. »
February 6, 2024
J’avoue j’ai grave kiffé…
August 31, 2024
Je m’attendais pas à cette fin mais slay 😀
March 10, 2025
je l’ai lu pour les cours, c’était sympa
February 7, 2026
I love versified theater. It is so well written, I savoured every word. But Néarque must be really convincing to turn Polyeucte this committed to Christianism that quickly.
August 9, 2019
Zaujímavé dielo.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews