Jean Racine: A Master Playwright of 17th-Century France

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Full Name and Common Aliases

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Jean Racine was born on October 22, 1639, in La Ferté-Milon, Picardy, France. He is commonly known as Jean Racine or simply Racin.

Birth and Death Dates

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Born: October 22, 1639, in La Ferté-Milon, Picardy, France
Died: April 10, 1699, in Paris, France

Nationality and Profession(s)

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Jean Racine was a French playwright, poet, and librettist. He is considered one of the greatest writers of the classical period in French literature.

Early Life and Background

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Racine's family moved to Paris when he was just two years old. His father, Louis Racine, was a lawyer who died when Jean was only six months old. Racine's mother remarried, but her second husband did not provide for the children well. As a result, Racine and his brother were sent to live with their aunt in Paris.

Racine received a good education at the Jesuit College of Juilly, where he developed a passion for literature and poetry. He later attended the University of Orléans, but left without graduating to pursue a career in writing.

Major Accomplishments

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Racine's major accomplishments as a playwright include:

Writing over 30 plays, many of which are still widely performed today
Creating some of the most famous works of French classical theatre, including "Andromaque," "Bérénice," and "Phèdre"
Winning several literary prizes, including the Grand Prix de l'Académie française

Notable Works or Actions

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Racine's notable works include:

"Andromaque" (1667): A tragedy that tells the story of Andromache, a Trojan princess who is torn between her love for her son and her loyalty to her husband, Hector.
"Bérénice" (1670): A play about the doomed love affair between Bérénice, a Jewish queen, and Titus, a Roman general.
"Phèdre" (1677): A tragedy based on Greek mythology that explores themes of love, jealousy, and betrayal.

Racine's works are known for their beautiful language, complex characters, and exploration of universal human emotions. His plays often deal with the struggles of love, power, and morality in ancient societies.

Impact and Legacy

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Jean Racine's impact on literature is immense. He helped establish French classical theatre as a major force in European drama. His works have been translated into many languages and continue to be performed today around the world.

Racine's legacy extends beyond his plays, however. He was also a poet and librettist who wrote several collections of poetry and collaborated with famous composers on opera librettos.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered

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Jean Racine is widely quoted or remembered for his insightful explorations of human nature in his plays. His works offer profound insights into the complexities of love, power, and morality. He is also celebrated as a masterful writer who helped establish French classical theatre as a major force in European drama.

Racine's quotes often express the emotional depth and complexity that characterizes his plays. For example:

> "Le bonheur est un peu de ce qu'on possède."

("Happiness is a little of what we possess.")

— Jean Racine, from "Bérénice"

This quote captures the essence of Racine's work: a deep understanding of human nature and the complexities of love, power, and morality.