The New Student's Reference Work/Corneille, Pierre

Corneille (kō̇r′nāl′), Pierre, the greatest French tragedian and the founder of French comedy, was born at Rouen, June 6, 1606. His ill-success as a lawyer sent him to Paris in 1629, where his first comedy was produced and acted in two theaters at the same time. In 1636 The Cid, his most popular tragedy, took Paris by storm, and in spite of Richelieu, a personal enemy of the author, and in spite also of the Academy, his creature, could not be suppressed; and soon “fine as the Cid” became a common saying. Le Menteur showed the author to be great in comedy as well as in tragedy. Polyeucte and Rodogune are others of his best works; while the finest verses he wrote occur in the central love-scene of Psyche. Horace and Cinna are also favorite productions of Corneille. Strength and sublimity are his chief characteristics.