Edited and Translated by John C Lapp, this edition of Le Cid for performance and study includes an introduction, which interprets the contemporary political, social, and romantic themes that give this tragedy its complex, interwoven structure. Also included are a selected bibliography and a list of the principal dates in the life of Corneille.
Table of Contents:
1606: Birth of Pierre Croneille, in Rouen, June 6
1622: Finishes studies at the Jesuit college of Rouen
1624: Receives law degree
1625-29: His first play, Mélite, a comedy, staged in Paris
1632: Clitandre, tragicomedy
1633-34: Three comedies, La Veuve, La Galerie du Palais, and La Suivante. Médée, a tradegy
1636: L’Illusion comique, comedy, and Le Cid, tragicomedy, based on the play by Guillen de Castro, Las Mocedades del Cid. Richelieu grants him an annual pension of 1,500 livres
1637-38: “Quarrel of the Cid,” various critics and the Academy itself publish criticisms, to which the author replies
1640: Horace and Cinna, tragedies. Marriage to Marie de Lampérière
1641-43: Polyeucte, tragedy
1642-43: La Mort de Pompée, tragedy; le Menteur, comedy; la Suite du Menteur, comedy
1644: Rodogune, tragedy
1645: Théodore, vierge et martyre, tragedy
1647: Héraclius, tragedy
1650: Andromède, tragedy “with machines” (the use of stage machinery for spectacular effects, as in opera), Don Sanche d’Aragon, heroic comedy
1651: Nocomède, tragedy
1652: Pertharite tragedy whichfails. Corneille gives up writing drama for seven years
1659: Returns to the theatre with Œdipe, tragedy
1661: La Toison d’Or, tragedy with machines
1662: Sertorius, tragedy
1663: Sophonisbe, tragedy
1664: Othon, tragedy
1666: Agésilas, tragedy
1667: Attila, tragedy
1670: Tite et Bérénice, heroic comedy
1671: Psyché, tragic ballet, in collaboration with Molière, Quinault, and Lully
1672: Pulchérie, heroic comedy
1684: Death of Corneille on October 1st
