Œuvres de P. Corneille, Tome 06

This volume brings together a restored edition of a lesser‑known tragedy by a leading figure of French classicism, presented with meticulous typographic corrections and original spelling preserved. The text is accompanied by an extensive scholarly apparatus: variant readings, explanatory notes, a lexicon of unusual words, and a facsimile portrait. Readers also gain insight from a detailed notice that clarifies the play’s disputed premiere date and its early reception.

The drama unfolds in Lombardy, where a proud king confronts familial betrayals and political intrigue, setting the stage for moral dilemmas that echo the author's later reflections on art and age. Contemporary commentary, including a candid “to the reader” preface, reveals the playwright’s moment of doubt after the play’s lukewarm applause, hinting at his contemplated retirement. Together, the play and its contextual material offer a rare glimpse into the creative tensions of the mid‑1640s and enrich any lover of early modern theatre.