Horace (Corneille)

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Horace is a tragedy in five acts by the French poet Pierre Corneille . The play deals with the struggle between the Horatians and the Curatians and is based on a report by the Roman historian Livy . It premiered in March 1640.

people

  • Tullus , King of Rome
  • The old Horatius, Roman knight
  • Horatius his son
  • Curiatius, knight from Alba, fiance of Camilla
  • Valerius, Roman knight, in love with Camilla
  • Sabina, wife of Horatius and sister of Curiatius
  • Camilla, fiancee of Curatius and sister of Horatius
  • Julia, Roman lady, confidante Sabinas and Camillas
  • Flavian, soldier in the army of Alba
  • Procul, soldier in the Roman army

action

The piece takes place in the legendary Roman royal era . The Roman Horatier family is connected to the Curatier family from neighboring Alba . However, when war breaks out between the two cities, this harmony is disturbed. Three men are chosen from each city to fight against each other. Against all odds, the lot fell on three brothers of the Horatians from Rome and three brothers of the Curatiers for Alba.

This choice fills the brothers with pride, although it harbors a serious conflict, because both families are related by marriage: Sabina, sister of Curiatius, is married to Horatius; Camilla, his sister, is engaged to Curiatius, who is also a friend of her brother. Only the youngest of the Horatians returns from the substitute fight, albeit as the winner. After his two brothers have already fallen, but the Curiatians have only been wounded differently, he appears to flee in the correct expectation that the opponents would not all be able to pursue him at the same time. Unexpectedly, he then surrenders again and kills all three, first the fastest because he was only slightly injured, and finally the most seriously wounded.

After the deed was done, Horatius was congratulated by the Romans. However, his angry sister laments the loss of her fiancé, whereupon Horatius kills her too. Now Horatius' father defends the honor, and therefore his son, against the passionate love of Camilla. Despite the accusation speech of the Roman knight Valerius, who was also in love with Camilla, Horatius is pardoned. The king wants Camilla and Curatius to be buried in the same tomb.

Impact history

Horace is Corneille's first drama from Roman history. He wrote it in response to the reviews during the Querelle du Cid and dedicated it to Cardinal Richelieu . The play became his second great success. Before the performance it was read out by Boisrobert ; However, Corneille refused to propose changes. The material served as the basis for the libretti for the operas Les Horaces by Antonio Salieri and Gli Orazi ei Curiazi by Domenico Cimarosa .

Web links

Wikisource: Horace  - sources and full texts (French)