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Jean ChapelainFrench poet and literary critic of the 17th century.
Date of Birth: 04.12.1595
Country:  France |
Content:
- Jean Chapelain: A Prominent Figure in French Classicism
- Rise to Prominence and Classicist Stance
- Role in the French Academy and Normative Aesthetics
- Collaboration on Corneille's "Le Cid"
- Literary Legacy
- Parodies and Lasting Impact
Jean Chapelain: A Prominent Figure in French Classicism
Early Life and InfluencesJean Chapelain, a significant French poet and literary critic of the 17th century, was born as the son of a notary. From a young age, he delved into the study of Latin and Greek, later adding Spanish and Italian to his linguistic repertoire.
Rise to Prominence and Classicist Stance
Chapelain's career gained momentum with his preface to Marino's poem "Adonis," published in Paris in 1623. This preface, while exploring the concept of "pleasure" and "utility" in art, later became a point of contention for Chapelain as he embraced a firm classicist standpoint. Chapelain's association with the Hôtel de Rambouillet and friendships with prominent figures like Montausier, Retz, and Madame de Sévigné further solidified his literary influence.
Role in the French Academy and Normative Aesthetics
Elected to the Académie Française in 1634, Chapelain advocated for the creation of a French dictionary. At the behest of Cardinal Richelieu, he drafted a plan for the academic dictionary, a monumental work that brought renown to the academy. Chapelain's treatise "Обоснование правила двадцати четырёх часов..." (1630) proved influential in shaping classical aesthetics' normative principles.
Collaboration on Corneille's "Le Cid"
In collaboration with Valentin Conrart, Chapelain assisted Richelieu in composing the academy's review of Corneille's "Le Cid" (1637). This review aimed to strike a balance between criticism demanded by Richelieu and praise for the celebrated playwright.
Literary Legacy
Chapelain also penned a treatise on reading old novels ("De la lecture des vieux romans") and translated Mateo Alemán's picaresque novel "Guzmán de Alfarache" into French. His poetry, including odes ("Ode a Richelieu"), sonnets, and madrigals, enjoyed considerable success. However, his ill-conceived heroic epic "La Pucelle ou la France delivree," based on Joan of Arc, met with widespread disappointment and cemented his literary downfall.
Parodies and Lasting Impact
Voltaire's parodic "Orleanская девственница," with its ironic dedication to Chapelain as the "poet of this miracle maiden," epitomized the satire directed at his work. Pushkin's use of Chapelain's name as a byword for bad poetry highlighted his enduring legacy as a cautionary tale in literary aesthetics.
