The World's Greatest Books (Poetry and Drama)

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book The World's Greatest Books (Poetry and Drama) by Various Authors, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Various Authors ISBN: 9781465516770
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Various Authors
ISBN: 9781465516770
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English

Victor Hugo was a man with a remarkable aptitude for divining the real course of popular feeling and giving violent expression to it. It was this that made him one of the leaders of the modern republican movement in France. Precluded by his earlier works from attacking the monarchy openly, he set about discrediting it by a series of historical plays in which the French kings were depicted in a sinister light. In "Marion de Lorme" he holds up the weakest of the Bourbons to bitter contempt; in "The King Amuses Himself" ("Le roi s'amuse"), produced in 1832, he satirises the most brilliant of the Valois—François I. The portrait is a clever but one-sided piece of work; it is based on facts; but not on all the facts. It is true that François used to frequent low taverns and mix in disreputable company, but he was also the most chivalrous king of his age, and a man of fine tastes in art and letters. Nevertheless, the play is one of the best of Victor Hugo's by reason of the strange and terrible character of the king's jester, Triboulet. This ugly little hunchback is surely a memorable figure in literature. The horror and pity which he excites as he sits by the river in the storm and darkness, rejoicing in the consummation of his scheme of revenge, have something of that awfulness which is the note of veritable tragedy. The scene is a superb example of dramatic irony.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Victor Hugo was a man with a remarkable aptitude for divining the real course of popular feeling and giving violent expression to it. It was this that made him one of the leaders of the modern republican movement in France. Precluded by his earlier works from attacking the monarchy openly, he set about discrediting it by a series of historical plays in which the French kings were depicted in a sinister light. In "Marion de Lorme" he holds up the weakest of the Bourbons to bitter contempt; in "The King Amuses Himself" ("Le roi s'amuse"), produced in 1832, he satirises the most brilliant of the Valois—François I. The portrait is a clever but one-sided piece of work; it is based on facts; but not on all the facts. It is true that François used to frequent low taverns and mix in disreputable company, but he was also the most chivalrous king of his age, and a man of fine tastes in art and letters. Nevertheless, the play is one of the best of Victor Hugo's by reason of the strange and terrible character of the king's jester, Triboulet. This ugly little hunchback is surely a memorable figure in literature. The horror and pity which he excites as he sits by the river in the storm and darkness, rejoicing in the consummation of his scheme of revenge, have something of that awfulness which is the note of veritable tragedy. The scene is a superb example of dramatic irony.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book Amurath to Amurath by Various Authors
Cover of the book The Little Russian Servant by Various Authors
Cover of the book Atlantic Classics by Various Authors
Cover of the book Folk-Lore of The Pennsylvania Germans by Various Authors
Cover of the book The Vicar's Daughter by Various Authors
Cover of the book Our Little Irish Cousin by Various Authors
Cover of the book The Alhambra by Various Authors
Cover of the book Thirty Years in Australia by Various Authors
Cover of the book The Wheels of Time by Various Authors
Cover of the book History of Zosimus by Various Authors
Cover of the book Manuel de la politesse des usages du monde et du savoir-vivre par madame J.-J. Lambert by Various Authors
Cover of the book The Giant of the North: Pokings Round the Pole by Various Authors
Cover of the book The Garden of Bright Waters" One Hundred and Twenty Asiatic Love Poems by Various Authors
Cover of the book The Empress Frederick: A Memoir by Various Authors
Cover of the book The Hill of Venus by Various Authors
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy