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Paul ScarronFrench novelist, playwright and poet, master of burlesque
Date of Birth: 04.07.1610
Country:  France |
Content:
- Paul Scarron: Life and Literary Contributions
- Literary Beginnings
- Partial Paralysis and Move to Paris
- Literary Output in Paris
- Marriage and Literary Success
- Legacy
Paul Scarron: Life and Literary Contributions
Early Life and EducationPaul Scarron was born on July 4, 1610, in Paris, France. The son of a judicial official, he initially pursued a career in the clergy, graduating in 1629. In 1634, he relocated with his father to Le Mans, where he resided until 1641.
Literary Beginnings
During his time in Le Mans, Scarron's literary career began to flourish. He participated in the debate surrounding Corneille's "Le Cid" (1637) and composed the majority of his renowned work, "Comical Novel" ("Roman comique," published in 1651).
Partial Paralysis and Move to Paris
In 1643, Scarron suffered a partial paralysis, which incapacitated him for life. Seeking patronage from influential figures in Le Mans proved futile due to his poverty and illness. Consequently, he relocated to Paris in 1646.
Literary Output in Paris
In Paris, Scarron continued his literary endeavors. He wrote extensively for the stage, often adapting Spanish comedies, and composed a vast number of "burlesque poems," including a travestied rendition of the Aeneid titled "Virgil Travestied" ("Virgile travesti," 1648-1652).
Marriage and Literary Success
In 1652, Scarron married Françoise d'Aubigné, the granddaughter of Protestant poet Agrippa d'Aubigné. Despite his physical ailments, Scarron maintained a witty and cheerful disposition, satirizing both the vices of his time and the infidelities of his wife, who would later become the famous Madame de Maintenon.
Legacy
Paul Scarron died in Paris on October 7, 1660, at the age of fifty. His literary output, particularly his burlesques and "Comical Novel," established him as a master of the genre and continues to be appreciated for its satirical wit and realistic portrayal of French society.
