L'Illusion Comique
L'Illusion Comique
Book Brief
Beta173
Play • Fiction
•
Dramatic Literature•
French LiteratureFrance • 17th century
•
World History2006
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
L'Illusion Comique by Pierre Corneille follows a father’s journey, advised by a magician, to find his estranged son. The play reveals the boundaries between reality and illusion through performances within the narrative. It explores themes of love, deception, and reconciliation, capturing the transformative power of theater.
Fantastical
Mysterious
Playful
Humorous
Romantic
Reviews & Readership
2,001 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
L'Illusion Comique by Pierre Corneille is praised for its innovative blend of reality and illusion, showcasing witty dialogue and complex character dynamics. The play's meta-theatrical aspects are celebrated, though some find its structure disjointed. Overall, it remains a significant work in French literature, admired for its creativity and exploration of theater's nature.
Who Should Read L'Illusion Comique?
A reader who enjoys L'Illusion Comique by Pierre Corneille would likely appreciate the fusion of comedy, romance, and tragedy within a theatrical context. Fans of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream or Molière's Tartuffe will admire its exploration of illusion versus reality, intricate plots, and rich character dynamics.
2,001 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
L'Illusion Comique was first performed in 1635 and is considered an early example of French baroque theater, notable for its innovative use of mixed genres, including comedy, drama, and fantasy.
The play is famous for its metatheatrical elements, where characters often confront the artificiality of theater itself, a concept ahead of its time.
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Pierre Corneille wrote L'Illusion Comique during a period when strict classical unities were being championed in French drama, yet he deliberately chose to forgo these conventions, showcasing his creative daring.
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173
Play • Fiction
•
Dramatic Literature•
French LiteratureFrance • 17th century
•
World History2006
Adult
18+ years
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