Jean Racine

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Definition

Proper noun: - Jean Racine: A 17th-century French dramatist, one of the three great playwrights of French classical tragedy (alongside Pierre Corneille and Molière). He is renowned for his tragedies based on Greek and Roman themes, characterized by their psychological depth, poetic language, and strict adherence to the classical unities. He was also an advocate of Jansenism, a Catholic theological movement.

Usage Examples
  • Proper noun:
    • The plays of Jean Racine are masterpieces of French classical theater.
    • We studied the tragic hero in Jean Racine's "Phèdre".
    • The biography explores the influence of Jansenism on Jean Racine's life and work.
Advanced Usage
  • "Racinian" (adjective): Pertaining to or characteristic of Jean Racine or his works, especially describing intense psychological conflict, tragic passion, and austere poetic style.
    • The actress delivered a powerfully Racinian performance, full of repressed desire and anguish.
Variants and Related Words
  • Racine (noun): Often used alone to refer to the playwright.
    • Racine's tragedies are known for their emotional intensity.
  • Jansenism (noun): The theological movement with which Racine was associated, emphasizing original sin, human depravity, and predestination.
Synonyms
  • Tragedian: A writer of tragedies.
  • Dramatist: A writer of plays.
  • Playwright: A person who writes plays.
Related Phrases
  • French classical tragedy: The genre in which Racine was a principal figure.
  • The three unities: A dramatic principle of structure (unity of action, time, and place) that Racine's plays exemplify.
Noun
  1. French advocate of Jansenism; tragedian who based his works on Greek and Roman themes (1639-1699)