Jean Racine

Date of Birth: December 22, 1639

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: April 21, 1699

Biography

Jean Racine was a French dramatist, one of the three great playwrights of 17th-century France, along with Molière and Corneille. He was born Jean-Baptiste Racine on December 22, 1639, in La Ferté-Milon, France. Orphaned at a young age, Racine was raised by his grandmother and educated at the Jansenist school of Port-Royal des Champs, where he developed a love for the classics and a strong grounding in literature. Racine’s early works, such as “La Thébaïde” (1664) and “Alexandre le Grand” (1665), showed promise, but it was with “Andromaque” (1667) that he achieved significant success. His most famous plays, including “Phèdre” (1677), “Britannicus” (1669), and “Bérénice” (1670), are celebrated for their poetic elegance, emotional intensity, and exploration of human passion. Racine’s tragedies often revolve around characters caught in the web of destiny and their own inner conflicts, rendered in a style noted for its purity and precision. In 1677, at the height of his career, Racine was appointed as a royal historiographer alongside his friend Nicolas Boileau. He largely abandoned the theater after this appointment, although he did write a few later plays, such as “Esther” (1689) and “Athalie” (1691), for the convent school of Saint-Cyr. Racine married Catherine de Romanet in 1677, and they had seven children together. He died on April 21, 1699, in Paris, France, and was buried in Port-Royal des Champs. His works continue to be performed and studied, and he is remembered as a master of French classical tragedy.

5 Interesting Facts about Jean Racine

1. Jean Racine was orphaned at a young age and raised by his grandmother.

2. He was educated at the Jansenist school of Port-Royal des Champs, which influenced his literary style and religious views.

3. Racine’s play “Phèdre” is often considered one of the greatest tragedies in French literature.

4. He was appointed royal historiographer by King Louis XIV in 1677, alongside his friend Nicolas Boileau.

5. Racine largely abandoned playwriting after his royal appointment, focusing on his duties as a historiographer and writing only occasional works for special occasions.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jean Racine

1. “A tragedy need not have blood and death; it’s enough that it all be filled with that majestic sadness that is the pleasure of tragedy.”

2. “I have pushed virtue to the point of cruelty.”

3. “My only hope lies in my despair.”

4. “There is no secret to success except hard work and perseverance.”

5. “We are only young once; that is all society can stand.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Given the historical period, specific figures on Jean Racine’s net worth are not available. However, as a prominent playwright and royal historiographer, he likely enjoyed a comfortable and prestigious position in society during his lifetime.

Children

Jean Racine and his wife, Catherine de Romanet, had seven children: 1. Jean-Baptiste Racine 2. François Racine 3. Marie-Catherine Racine 4. Madeleine Racine 5. Marguerite Racine 6. Jean Racine (named after his father) 7. Louis Racine (who became a poet and continued his father’s literary legacy)