Page:The thirty-six dramatic situations (1921).djvu/22

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THIRTY-SIX DRAMATIC SITUATIONS

from fiction: Mérimée's "Colomba." Familiar instances: the majority of vendettas. "Le Prêtre" (Buet, 1881) presents especially the psychologic struggle between pardon and vengeance. Example of the avenging of a father driven to suicide: "L'Or" (Peter and Danceny, 1908).

(2)—The Avenging of a Slain Child or Descendant:—Sophocles' "Nauplius;" a part of "Sainte-Helene" (Mme. Séverine, 1902); the end of Euripides' "Hecuba." Epic example: Neptune's pursuit of Ulysses because of the blinding of Polyphemus.

(3)—Vengeance for a Child Dishonored:—"El Mejor Alcalde el Rey," by Lope de Vega; "The Alcalde of Zalamea," by Calderon. Historic example: the death of Lucrece.

(4)—The Avenging of a Slain Wife or Husband:—Carneille's "Pompée;" "L'Idiot" (de Lorde, 1903). Contemporary instance: the trials of Mme. Veuve Barrême.

(5)—Vengeance for the Dishonor, or Attempted Dishonoring, of a Wife:—The "Ixion " of Aeschylus, of Sophocles and of Euripides; "The Perrhoebides" of Aeschylus; "Les Révoltés" (Cain and Adenis, 1908). Historic example: the priest of Ephraim. Similar cases, in which the wife has only been insulted: "Venisamhāra," by Bhatta Narayana; "The Sons of Pandou," by Rajasekhara. Familiar instances: a large number of duels.

(6)—Vengeance for a Mistress Slain:—"Love after Death," by Caleron; "Amhra" (Grangeneuve, 1882); "Simon the Foundling" (Jonathan, 1882).

(7)—Vengeance for a Slain or Injured Friend:—"The Nereids" of Aeschylus. A contemporary instance: Ravachol. Case in which the vengeance is perpetrated upon the mistress of the avenger: "La Casserole" (Méténier, 1889).

(8)—Vengeance for a Sister Seduced:—Goethe's "Clavijo;" "Les Bouchers" (Icres, 1888); "La Casquette au Pere Bugeaud" (Marot, 1886). Examples from fiction: "La Kermesse Rouge," in Eekhoud's collection, and the end of Bourget's "Disciple."