情理碰撞、尸体纷呈——法国古典主义悲剧之主要特征

The Deadly Clash between Reason and Desire- Dominant Features of Classical French Tragedies

17世纪40至90年代,悲剧这一艺术门类在法国巴黎大放光彩,其主要代表人物为高乃依和拉辛。两位作家都以理智与情欲之对立为主题,推出了一系列催人泪下的悲伤故事。相比之下,高乃依的作品更为豪迈,讲述英雄儿女不惜为家族荣誉和国家利益而牺牲爱情;拉辛的作品则比较凄惨,展示压不住、挡不回的致命欲望。这一"豪"一"凄",组成法国古典主义悲剧的响亮二重奏。

Tragedy as a form of stage art flourished in Paris,France during the last two thirds of the 17 t h century,and its major representatives are Pierre Corneille and Jean Racine. Both playwrights depict as a major theme of their dramatic works the conflict between reason and passion,giving us a long series of very sad and touching stories. Viewed in juxtaposition with each other,the works of Corneille seem more grandiose,telling tales of heroic men and women who are willing to sacrifice their love for the honor of their family and interest of their country; Racine's works seem to evoke greater pathos among the audience because they often present characters who are crushed by their own insatiable desire. In other words,grandeur and pathos are two prominent features that characterize classical French tragedies.