Author |
Corneille, Pierre, 1606-1684 |
Translator |
Constable, Thomas, 1812-1881 |
Title |
Polyeucte
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Note |
Reading ease score: 91.8 (5th grade). Very easy to read.
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Credits |
Produced by Dagny; Emma Dudding; John Bickers; David Widger
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Summary |
"Polyeucte" by Pierre Corneille is a classic tragedy written in the early 17th century. The play explores themes of faith, love, and sacrifice, centering around Polyeucte, an Armenian noble who grapples with the tension between his Christian faith and the political realities of his society. As he faces persecution for his beliefs, the complexities of his relationships with his wife Pauline, the Roman knight Severus, and his father-in-law Felix unfold, highlighting the conflict between personal loyalty and religious conviction. At the start of the play, we witness Polyeucte discussing his deep love for Pauline, who is beset by fears for his safety amidst an impending crisis. His friend Nearchus urges him to accept his faith and be baptized, while Pauline expresses her terror at the thought of losing him. The narrative sets up a rich emotional landscape, revealing Polyeucte's resolve to declare his faith despite the dangers he faces. This opening conflict foreshadows the dramatic tension between his passionate convictions and his wife's desperate wishes, as well as the external pressures from the Roman authorities. The audience can sense a looming tragedy as Polyeucte's commitment to Christ is juxtaposed against the fear and societal expectations represented by those around him. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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Language |
English |
LoC Class |
PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
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Subject |
French drama -- Translations into English
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Subject |
Polyeuctus, Saint, -approximately 259 -- Drama
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Category |
Text |
EBook-No. |
2543 |
Release Date |
Apr 4, 2006 |
Most Recently Updated |
Jan 31, 2013 |
Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
Downloads |
146 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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