|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 3
4. THE PLAY OF "ESTHER."
The subject of _Esther_ is admirably chosen for the purpose Racine had
in view. The story of Esther, owing mainly to the noble character of
the queen, is as touching as it is lofty. The poet found it entirely
in the Bible, which should be read side by side with the play from
beginning to end. Several inspirations, notably that of the beautiful
prayer in the first act, are drawn from the "Rest of the Book of
Esther," i.e., those chapters which being found only in the Greek, and
neither in the Hebrew nor in the Chaldee MSS., are relegated to the
Apocrypha.
Racine follows the theory of the Abb� de Saci, and takes the Ahasuerus
of Scripture to be the Darius of secular history. Modern criticism,
however, inclines to see in him neither Darius, nor, as has been
proposed on the authority of the "Rest of the Book of Esther" (xii. 2),
Artaxerxes Longimanus, but Xerxes, the immediate successor of Darius.
The idea of a Chorus is borrowed from the Greeks, as Racine expressly
declared in his preface. In this play, as in Greek tragedy, the Chorus
comments upon the action as it unfolds itself, and the great interests
at stake lift the poet to lofty heights of lyrical inspiration. The
lyrics of the chorus, far from being a relapse into the pernicious
practice, prevalent before the time of Corneille, of providing such
passages for the mere display of the actor's ability, are pure chants
and hymns, like the _Cantiques Spirituels_ which Racine composed
subsequently in detached form, and are a highly appropriate ornament to
religious plays such as _Esther_ and _Athalie_.
Of the form into which the poet has cast his materials, it is
impossible to speak too highly. It is adequate praise to say that the
language, in its perfect simplicity and exquisite beauty, is in keeping
with the elevation of the thought, which is that of the Scriptures
themselves. Nor should the constructive skill be unnoticed with which
the dramatist has filled in the characters sketched by the Bible; the
humility and grace of Esther's account of her own triumph (ll. 31-80),
the art with which Haman betrays his cruel nature by the very offer of
services he makes to the queen (ll. 1151-4), the adroitness of the
court he pays to the king (ll. 593-7), and his readiness of resource in
adversity (ll. 1142-67).
The subjoined chronological table will enable the student to follow the
events referred to in the play.
B. C. 718 Shalmaneser takes the kingdom of Israel captive.
606 Nebuchadnezzar takes the kingdom of Juda captive.
606-536 Captivity of the Jews under the Assyrians.
587 Nebuchadnezzar captures Jerusalem and destroys the temple.
536 Cyrus, King of Persia, conquers Balthasar, King of Babylon,
and suffers the Jews to return to their own country.
529-522 Cambyses II. reigns over Persia.
522-521 Pseudo-Smerdis " "
521-485 Darius " "
485-465 Xerxes " "
465-425 Artaxerxes Longimanus "
[1]These words recur most frequently in her later correspondence with
St. Cyr.
PROLOGUE.
LA PIETE.
Du s�jour bienheureux de la Divinit�
Je descends dans ce lieu, par la Grace habit�.
L'Innocence s'y pla�t, ma compagne �ternelle,
Et n'a point sous les cieux d'asile plus fid�le.
Ici, loin du tumulte, aux devoirs les plus saints 5
Tout un peuple naissant est form� par mes mains.
Je nourris dans son coeur la semence f�conde
Des vertus dont il doit sanctifier le monde.
Un roi qui me prot�ge, un roi victorieux,
A commis � mes soins ce d�p�t pr�cieux. 10
C'est lui qui rassembla ces colombes timides,
�parses en cent lieux, sans secours et sans guides.
Pour elles � sa porte �levant ce palais,
Il leur y fit trouver l'abondance et la paix.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|