Definition

Proper noun: - Augustin Eugène Scribe: A French dramatist and librettist, known as one of the most prolific and commercially successful playwrights of the 19th century. He is particularly noted for perfecting the "well-made play" (pièce bien faite), a dramatic structure that emphasized tight plotting, suspense, and a logical resolution.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The plays of Augustin Eugène Scribe dominated the Parisian stage for decades.
  • Many opera composers, including Auber and Verdi, used libretti written by Augustin Eugène Scribe.

Advanced Usage

• "Scribean" (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of the dramatic style of Eugène Scribe.
  • The plot's intricate mechanics are a Scribean feature.

Variants and Related Words

• Scribe: Often used alone to refer to him, especially in historical or literary contexts.
  • The formula of the well-made play is frequently attributed to Scribe.

Synonyms

• Dramatist: A writer of plays.
• Librettist: A person who writes the text (libretto) for an opera or musical.
• Playwright: A person who writes plays.

Related Phrases

• "Well-made play": The specific dramatic structure for which Scribe is famous, involving a careful plot based on a secret, rising suspense, and a timely resolution.
  • The influence of the well-made play can be seen in the works of later playwrights like Henrik Ibsen.

Noun

1. French playwright (1791-1861)