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Etienne JodelleFrench playwright
Country:
 France |
Content:
- Étienne Jodelle: French Renaissance Playwright
- Return to Paris and Rise to Fame
- The Goat of Arcueil
- Religious Conflict and Political Involvement
- Literary Works
- Comedy:
- Poetry:
Étienne Jodelle: French Renaissance Playwright
Early Life and EducationÉtienne Jodelle was born into a bourgeois family in Paris, France. He quickly broke away from his close-knit relatives and pursued his education at the Collège de Boncourt. In the early 1550s, Jodelle resided in Lyon, possibly after a sojourn in Geneva where he was drawn to the ideas of the Reformation.
Return to Paris and Rise to Fame
Upon his return to Paris, Jodelle formed close friendships with poets Nicolas Denisot, Marc-Antoine Muret, and Remy Belleau. His fame soared in 1553 with the staging of his tragedy "Cléopâtre captive" in Reims, attended by the royal court led by King Henry II.
The Goat of Arcueil
During a carnival celebration organized by Pierre de Ronsard and his associates, Jodelle became the central figure in a renowned theatrical excursion to Arcueil. In a nod to ancient Greek ritual, a goat adorned with laurel was presented to Jodelle, symbolizing his triumph as a tragedian. This event solidified his unparalleled reputation as a playwright.
Religious Conflict and Political Involvement
Throughout the French Wars of Religion (1560-1570), Jodelle penned polemical writings against the Huguenots. In May 1571, he orchestrated an elaborate masquerade in the Louvre for the grand entry of King Charles IX and his wife, Elizabeth of Austria.
Literary Works
Tragedies:Cléopâtre captive (1553):A three-act tragedy inspired by the tragic end of the Egyptian queen. It attempted to revive the traditions of ancient Greek tragedy.
Didon se sacrifiant (1555):A less successful tragedy focusing on the sacrifice of Dido.
Comedy:
Eugène (1553):A five-act comedy with a prologue outlining Jodelle's belief in blending national traditions and ancient models. It included characters reminiscent of Italian comedy masks and a racy style akin to medieval farce.
Poetry:
Jodelle also wrote numerous poetic works, including odes, elegies, and epistles, which remain extant today.
