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Théâtre: L'exil, Pasiphaé, La reine morte, Fils de personne, Un incompris etc
/ / French literature / Frans / French / Français / Französisch / hard cover / 11 x 18 cm / 1109 .pp /
Hardcover
First published February 16, 1955
9 people want to read
About the author
Henry de Montherlant
138 books106 followersHenry de Montherlant (1895-1972) fut romancier, dramaturge, essayiste et poète. Il était membre de l’Académie française et peut être considéré comme un des plus grands écrivains du XXe siècle, à l’égal d’un Proust ou d’un Céline.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 15, 2025
La Reine Morte by Henri de Montherlant
Excellent masterpiece... marriage made in heaven between a fabulous text and the Ubermensch of an actor – 10 out of 10
I have been spoiled in the past few days with Housekeeping and now The Dead Queen and an amazing king played by the best actor in the world- George Constantin.
Ferrante is the king of Portugal and he wants Prince Pedro, his son, to marry the infanta of Navarre, for reasons of state.
And we proceed with a classic conflict between duty and love.
Prince Pedro loves Ines de Castro, but this is not what the king wants and he is very upset to learn that his son had refused the infanta.
In the first part of this great drama, king Ferrante is willing to compromise and even appears to be a reasonable man.
When he meets Ines, he is taken by her beauty and refinement.
The king says to Prince Pedro:
- Marry the woman you must and have an affair with whoever you want
Not in these words, but I would say with that message.
Advisers to the king maintain that Ines should be killed, to make way for the necessary marriage that would boost the power of Portugal.
But king Ferrante delves into psychology and shows both understanding and a merciful side, at least to begin with.
- What is the secret you hide, why do you want to kill a young woman
Unhappy with this thirst for blood, the king is annoyed by the sycophants who kneel all the time and show too much humility.
Things are complicated by the revelation that Prince Pedro and Ines have married in secret, at a time when marriages were difficult to break apart.
The pope has to pronounce an annulment and the focus is on obtaining this exemption and the prince to agree.
The pressure falls on Dona Ines, who is asked by the king to convince the man she loves to give her up.
Gradually, the king shows more of his darker side, after giving the impression that he will protect the innocent.
We are dealing with a very complex and interesting leading role that I see at the very center of the play.
King Ferrante is by far more important and intriguing than all the rest put together, but this is in large part the contribution of the fantastic actor.
I guess that about 10 % or more of my notes on the plays that I listen to refer to this giant of the stage.
If in the first place the king affirmed that he will not give orders to have Dona Ines killed, things change.
Prince Pedro does not want to give up and the health of the king is deteriorating and with it his patience.
There are some very cruel stances that he takes, speaking of babies being thrown to the pigs and such like monstrosities.
To his confidant he shouts-
- They will take your heart out and you will see it before you die!!
This was an extraordinary marriage made in heaven between a fabulous text and the Ubermensch of an actor
Excellent masterpiece... marriage made in heaven between a fabulous text and the Ubermensch of an actor – 10 out of 10
I have been spoiled in the past few days with Housekeeping and now The Dead Queen and an amazing king played by the best actor in the world- George Constantin.
Ferrante is the king of Portugal and he wants Prince Pedro, his son, to marry the infanta of Navarre, for reasons of state.
And we proceed with a classic conflict between duty and love.
Prince Pedro loves Ines de Castro, but this is not what the king wants and he is very upset to learn that his son had refused the infanta.
In the first part of this great drama, king Ferrante is willing to compromise and even appears to be a reasonable man.
When he meets Ines, he is taken by her beauty and refinement.
The king says to Prince Pedro:
- Marry the woman you must and have an affair with whoever you want
Not in these words, but I would say with that message.
Advisers to the king maintain that Ines should be killed, to make way for the necessary marriage that would boost the power of Portugal.
But king Ferrante delves into psychology and shows both understanding and a merciful side, at least to begin with.
- What is the secret you hide, why do you want to kill a young woman
Unhappy with this thirst for blood, the king is annoyed by the sycophants who kneel all the time and show too much humility.
Things are complicated by the revelation that Prince Pedro and Ines have married in secret, at a time when marriages were difficult to break apart.
The pope has to pronounce an annulment and the focus is on obtaining this exemption and the prince to agree.
The pressure falls on Dona Ines, who is asked by the king to convince the man she loves to give her up.
Gradually, the king shows more of his darker side, after giving the impression that he will protect the innocent.
We are dealing with a very complex and interesting leading role that I see at the very center of the play.
King Ferrante is by far more important and intriguing than all the rest put together, but this is in large part the contribution of the fantastic actor.
I guess that about 10 % or more of my notes on the plays that I listen to refer to this giant of the stage.
If in the first place the king affirmed that he will not give orders to have Dona Ines killed, things change.
Prince Pedro does not want to give up and the health of the king is deteriorating and with it his patience.
There are some very cruel stances that he takes, speaking of babies being thrown to the pigs and such like monstrosities.
To his confidant he shouts-
- They will take your heart out and you will see it before you die!!
This was an extraordinary marriage made in heaven between a fabulous text and the Ubermensch of an actor
Displaying 1 of 1 review