- "Polyeucte" is also the name of an overture by Paul
Dukas.
Polyeucte is a drama in five acts by
French writer Pierre Corneille. It was finished in
December 1642 and debuted in October 1643. It is based on the life of
the martyr Saint Polyeuctus (Polyeucte).
In 1878 it was adapted into an opera by Charles Gounod, with the assistance of the librettist Jules
Barbier. Other works based on the play include a ballet by Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1679), an overture by Paul Dukas (1891) and a composition by
Edgar Tinel.
The drama is set in Armenia during a time when Christians
were persecuted there under the Roman Empire. Polyeucte, an Armenian nobleman, converts to
Christianity to the great despair of his wife, Pauline, and of his father-in-law, Felix. Despite them, Polyeucte becomes a
martyr, causing Pauline and Felix to finally convert as well.
There is also a romantic subplot: the Roman Severus is in love with Pauline and hopes she will be his after the conversion of
Polyeucte. However, she chooses to stay at the side of her husband. Before dying, Polyeucte entrusts Severus with Pauline.
Polyeucte is one of the last 17th-century French dramas with a religious
subject—Corneille did also write Théodore in 1646 and Racine wrote Esther (1689) and Athalie (1691), but these were not meant for public display. Later plays were not as willing to mix
religious and worldly themes.
Further reading
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