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Jean Racine - Biography

Racine (Jean Racine) was born on December 22, 1639 in La Ferte-Milon, France, and became one of the most famous and influential French playwrights of the XVII century. His works, including such masterpieces as "Phaedra," "Andromache" and "Phaedre," are considered the pinnacle of classical French tragedy.

Jean was born to Protestant parents and was baptized in a Protestant church. In his youth, he received a good education and studied at the College of Port Royal, where he was introduced into the world of ancient literature and classical tragedies. This education deeply influenced his future work.

A dramatic career began with writing the comedy "The Art of Being Clever" ("L'Art d'être amoureux") in 1660. However, his real success came when he began writing tragedies. His first great work was the tragedy "Andromache," staged in 1667. It was the start of his great dramatic career.

Jean was a representative of classicism, a literary trend that emphasized the rigor of form, adherence to rules and the sublimity of style. His tragedies were distinguished by a clear structure, balanced dialogues and expressive monologues. He strove for the ideal of classical tragedy, based on the works of ancient authors such as Sophocles and Euripides.

Jean's most famous tragedies include Phaedra (1677), Andromache (1667), Britannica (1669), Berenice (1670) and Hippolyta (1677). These works explored themes of passion, power, betrayal and moral dilemma. His tragedies were successful and popular in the royal court and in aristocratic circles.

Racine was a court dramatist under King Louis XIV and enjoyed his patronage. However, his work did not always correspond to the royal tastes and moral norms of that time. For example, the tragedy "Phaedra," describing Queen Phaedra's forbidden passion for her stepson Hippolytus, caused mixed feelings among the king and church authorities.