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Iphigenia, Phaedra and Athaliah: Three Masterpieces of French Tragedy by Jean Racine (Penguin Classics)

If you are looking for a collection of classic plays that explore the themes of passion, politics and religion, you might want to check out Iphigenia, Phaedra and Athaliah by Jean Racine. These three plays, written by one of the greatest French dramatists of the 17th century, are available in a Penguin Classics edition, translated by John Cairncross and with an introduction and notes by him.

Who was Jean Racine?

Jean Racine was born in 1639 at La Ferté Milon, sixty miles east of Paris. He was orphaned at an early age and educated at the Little Schools of Port Royal and the pro-Jansenist College of Beauvais. He soon reacted against his austere mentors and by 1660 he had begun to write for the theater and had been introduced to the court of Louis XIV. He wrote ten plays, mostly tragedies based on ancient Greek and Roman sources, that are renowned for their poetic language, psychological realism and dramatic intensity. He also wrote two religious plays, Esther and Athaliah, based on biblical stories. In 1677, he abandoned the theater, which was regarded as far from respectable by the Church, and joined the Establishment as Royal Historiographer. He died in 1699.

Iphigenia, Phaedra And Athaliah (Penguin Classics) Books Pdf File

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What are the plays about?

The three plays in this collection are all based on ancient myths or legends, but Racine adapts them to his own vision and style. They are:

Iphigenia: This play is based on the story of Iphigenia, the daughter of Agamemnon, who was sacrificed by her father to appease the goddess Artemis and secure a favorable wind for the Greek fleet to sail to Troy. Racine adds a twist to the story by introducing a love triangle between Iphigenia, her cousin Achilles and her fiancé Orestes.

Phaedra: This play is based on the story of Phaedra, the wife of Theseus, who fell in love with her stepson Hippolytus and accused him of raping her when he rejected her advances. Racine portrays Phaedra as a tragic heroine who struggles with her guilty passion and her sense of honor.

Athaliah: This play is based on the story of Athaliah, the queen of Judah, who tried to exterminate the royal line of David and was opposed by the high priest Jehoiada and his son Joash. Racine depicts Athaliah as a tyrant who is haunted by her crimes and tormented by prophetic dreams.

These plays are not only entertaining but also insightful and relevant to modern readers. They explore the complex emotions and motivations of human beings who are caught in situations of conflict and crisis. They also reflect on the role of fate, free will, divine intervention and human responsibility in shaping human destiny.

Why should you read this edition?

This edition of Iphigenia, Phaedra and Athaliah is part of the Penguin Classics series, which aims to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. This edition features:

A clear and faithful translation by John Cairncross, who was a poet, translator and intelligence officer.

An introduction by John Cairncross that provides an overview of Racine's life and works, as well as a detailed analysis of each play.

Notes by John Cairncross that explain historical, literary and cultural references in the text.

A chronology of Racine's life and works.

A bibliography of further reading suggestions.

If you want to enjoy some of the finest examples of French tragedy in English translation, you should definitely get a copy of Iphigenia, Phaedra and Athaliah by Jean Racine (Penguin Classics). You will not regret it!

How to get this edition?

If you are interested in reading Iphigenia, Phaedra and Athaliah by Jean Racine (Penguin Classics), you can easily get a copy of this edition online or in your local bookstore. You can also download a PDF file of the book from various websites that offer free or paid ebooks. However, before you do that, you should be aware of some issues and risks involved in downloading PDF files of books.

What are the issues and risks of downloading PDF files of books?

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Where can you find more information about Racine and his plays?

If you want to learn more about Racine and his plays, you can find plenty of resources online or in your local library. Some of the websites and books that you can check out are:

Penguin Random House: This is the official website of the publisher of this edition of Iphigenia, Phaedra and Athaliah. You can find more information about the book, the author, the translator and the series on this website. You can also browse other Penguin Classics titles and order them online.

Google Books: This is a website that allows you to search and preview millions of books from libraries and publishers worldwide. You can find more editions and translations of Racine's plays on this website. You can also read reviews, ratings and summaries of the books.

Penguin Books UK: This is the website of the UK branch of Penguin Books. You can find more information about this edition of Iphigenia, Phaedra and Athaliah on this website. You can also explore other Penguin Books titles and genres.

Jean Racine: A Study by John Cairncross: This is a book written by the translator of this edition of Iphigenia, Phaedra and Athaliah. It is a comprehensive and critical study of Racine's life and works, with a focus on his poetic and dramatic techniques.

Racine: A Theatrical Reading by Georges Forestier: This is a book written by a leading French scholar of Racine. It is a detailed and insightful analysis of Racine's plays, with a focus on their theatricality and performance.

These are just some of the sources that you can use to enrich your knowledge and appreciation of Racine and his plays. You can also look for other websites, books, articles, videos, podcasts or courses that cover Racine's works or related topics.

How to read and appreciate Racine's plays?

Racine's plays are not only enjoyable but also challenging and rewarding to read and appreciate. They require some attention and effort from the reader, but they also offer some tips and clues to help the reader understand and enjoy them. Some of the ways to read and appreciate Racine's plays are:

Read the introduction and notes: This edition of Iphigenia, Phaedra and Athaliah provides an introduction and notes by John Cairncross, the translator of this edition. The introduction gives an overview of Racine's life and works, as well as a detailed analysis of each play. The notes explain historical, literary and cultural references in the text. Reading the introduction and notes can help you get familiar with the context and background of Racine's plays, as well as appreciate their themes and techniques.

Read the translation carefully: This edition of Iphigenia, Phaedra and Athaliah provides a clear and faithful translation by John Cairncross, who was a poet, translator and intelligence officer. He tried to capture the beauty and power of Racine's language, as well as the subtlety and complexity of his characters and situations. Reading the translation carefully can help you appreciate the poetic and dramatic qualities of Racine's plays, as well as their psychological realism and intensity.

Read the original text if possible: If you can read French, you may want to read the original text of Racine's plays alongside the translation. Racine wrote his plays in French verse, using a strict form called alexandrine, which consists of twelve syllables per line with a pause after the sixth syllable. He also used rhyme, rhythm, sound effects and word choice to create musicality, harmony and contrast in his language. Reading the original text can help you appreciate the artistry and skill of Racine's language, as well as his mastery of verse drama.

Read the plays aloud or watch them performed: Racine wrote his plays for the stage, not for the page. He intended his plays to be spoken aloud by actors and heard by audiences. He also used theatrical devices such as entrances, exits, gestures, expressions, costumes, props and scenery to enhance his drama. Reading the plays aloud or watching them performed can help you appreciate the theatricality and performance of Racine's plays, as well as their emotional impact and appeal.

These are just some of the ways to read and appreciate Racine's plays. You can also find your own ways to enjoy and learn from Racine's plays, such as discussing them with others, writing about them, comparing them with other works or applying them to your own life.

Conclusion

Iphigenia, Phaedra and Athaliah by Jean Racine (Penguin Classics) is a collection of three classic plays that explore the themes of passion, politics and religion in ancient and biblical times. These plays are written by one of the greatest French dramatists of the 17th century, who was influenced by Classical drama and created works of intense psychological realism and dramatic intensity. This edition provides a clear and faithful translation by John Cairncross, who was a poet, translator and intelligence officer. It also provides an introduction and notes by John Cairncross, who gives an overview of Racine's life and works, as well as a detailed analysis of each play. This edition is part of the Penguin Classics series, which aims to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.