Richard Wilbur’s translations of the great French dramas have been a boon to acting troupes, students of French literature and history, and theater lovers. He continues this wonderful work with two plays from Pierre Corneille: Le Cid is Corneille’s most famous play, a tragedy set in Seville that illuminates the dangers of being bound by honor and the limits of romantic love; The Liar is a farce, set in France and dealing with love, misperceptions, and downright falsifications, which ends, of course, happily ever after.
These two plays, together in one volume, work in perfect tandem to showcase the breadth of Corneille’s abilities. Taking us back to the time he portrays as well as the time of his greatest success as a playwright, they remind us that the delights to be found on the French stage are truly ageless.
This landmark dual edition presents:
- A Heroic Play of Honor: Follow Rodrigue and Chimène in Le Cid, a powerful tragicomedy where love and duty collide in eleventh-century Seville.
- A Witty Comedy of Intrigue: Delight in The Liar, a sparkling farce where the charming Dorante spins a web of romantic fabrications that ensnares everyone in Paris.
- From a Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet: Experience Corneille’s power and wit through the acclaimed, accessible verse of Richard Wilbur, renowned for his definitive translations.
- For Stage and Study: An essential single volume for actors, directors, students, and any lover of classic European theater, complete with insightful introductions to both plays.