Horace (play)
Horace is a play by the French dramatist
Plot summary
The play, which begins in Rome, starts out in an atmosphere of peace and happiness. The Roman Horatii family is united to the Alban Curatii family. The young Horace is married to Sabine, a young Alban woman whose brother, Curiace, is engaged to Camille, the sister of Horace.
But the fratricidal war which breaks out between the two cities destroys this harmony. To finish it, each city designates three champions to fight in single combat to determine who will win. Contrary to expectations, fate chooses the three Horatii brothers for Rome and the three Curiatii brothers for Alba Longa. Horace, astonished, did not expect such a great honor. The friends once again find themselves face to face, with their consciences resolved for different reasons. While Horace is motivated by his patriotic duty, Curiace laments his cruel fate.
The people are likewise moved to see these six young men, nevertheless closely knit, fighting for the good of their country. However, their fate has been decided. During combat, two Horatii are quickly killed, and the last, the hero of the play, must then confront the three injured Curiatii alone. Filled with cunning and bravery, he first pretends to flee to avoid facing them all together. Then, when he attacks, he kills them one by one and thus achieves victory.
After having received the congratulations of all of Rome, Horace kills his sister, who blames him for the murder of her beloved. The trial which follows includes a scene of a rousing plea from the father Horatius, who defends honor (a
Reception
This play was criticized at the time of its creation for its failure to conform to notions of a tragic hero: by killing Camille, Horace had lost the necessary innocence.[2] Corneille rejected the notion of changing the death to conform to the academy's doctrine, and so helped prevent neo-Classicism from stifling theater.[3][4]
This play was a source of inspiration for composers such as Bernardo Porta (1767-1829), Antonio Salieri (1750-1825) and Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801).
References
- ISBN 9780521098144
- ISBN 0-245-50566-0
- ISBN 0-245-50566-0
- ISBN 9780946162574
External links
- (in French) Horace on Wikisource