Œuvres de P. Corneille, Tome 02

This volume gathers a selection of Corneille’s early dramas, presented with meticulous scholarly care. The editor preserves the original spelling and line numbering, while correcting obvious typographic slips, so listeners can hear the text as it first appeared on the page. Added features include variant passages, explanatory notes, a glossary of uncommon words, and even a facsimile portrait of the playwright, all aimed at deepening appreciation of the 17th‑century stage.

Among the pieces is the comedy that once eclipsed even Le Cid in popularity, notable for its innovative use of a “nurse” character who breaks from the traditional stock role. Set in the real‑world Galerie du Palais, the play invites the audience into a familiar Parisian space, enhancing the humor through recognizable detail. The front matter also offers fascinating anecdotes about contemporary costume trends, book‑selling practices, and the shifting tastes of French audiences, giving a vivid picture of the theatrical world Corneille inhabited.