
HERNANI - A DRAMA BY VICTOR HUGO
PREFACE.
VICTOR HUGO.
HISTORICAL NOTE TO «HERNANI».
PREFACE DE L'AUTEUR.
PERSONNAGES.
SCÈNE PREMIÈRE.
SCÈNE II.
SCÈNE III.
SCÈNE IV.
Set against the turbulent courts of 16th‑century Spain, this drama opens with a storm of emotion and intrigue. The stage is alive with the clash of honor and destiny, as a charismatic outlaw returns from exile to confront the forces that have shaped his fate. The language is vivid and poetic, echoing the Romantic spirit that once stirred audiences across Europe.
At the heart of the story are four unforgettable figures: a proud yet tormented nobleman, a future king torn between duty and desire, a cunning minister guarding his own ambitions, and a passionate young woman caught between love and obligation. Their intersecting loyalties spark fierce confrontations, while secret vows and public oaths threaten to unravel everything they hold dear. The first act builds a tense tableau of love, loyalty, and the looming specter of revenge.
Listeners will be drawn into the rich tapestry of political scheming and heartfelt longing, feeling the pulse of each duel of words and swords. The drama’s soaring rhetoric and vivid characters make it a compelling experience, inviting you to hear the timeless struggle between personal passion and the demands of power.
Language
fr
Duration
~4 hours (269K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2006-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1802–1885
One of the giants of French literature, this poet, novelist, and playwright helped define Romanticism and gave the world enduring classics like Notre-Dame de Paris and Les Misérables. His life was shaped by both literary ambition and political conviction, which gives his work unusual force and feeling.
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by Victor Hugo