A marriage made in Heaven? 'Racine' and 'love'

Campbell, J. (2006) A marriage made in Heaven? 'Racine' and 'love'. Modern Language Review, 101(3), pp. 682-690.

Abstract

Commentators have traditionally stressed the importance accorded to love in Racine's tragedies, often viewing it in general as some blind, irrational force that deprives characters of the will to act. This article seeks to question this easy association, which originated in the particular set of circumstances that forged the idea of 'Racine' in opposition to that of 'Corneille'. It also suggests that the common view of love in Racine's tragedies provides an unsatisfactory critical perspective for interpreting a series of complex and quite distinctive plays, in each of which 'love' can be shown to play different roles.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Campbell, Professor John
• Authors: Campbell, J.
• Subjects: P Language and Literature > PC Romance languages
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Modern Languages and Cultures > French
• Journal Name: Modern Language Review
• Publisher: Modern Humanities Research Association
• ISSN: 0026-7937
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2006 Modern Humanities Research Association
• First Published: First published in Modern Language Review 101(3):682-690
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher