Andromaque, by Jean Racine: two readings

Abstract

This article aims at presenting a masterpiece of French classical theater: Andromaque (1667), by Jean Racine. First, we made an analysis according to the principles of classical doctrine, which took shape between 1620 and 1660 in France. From this perspective, Andromaque, a defeated and captive Trojan queen, is the triumphant character, a strong female personality out of the reach of the reader/viewer: who is actually Andromaque, while Pyrrhus is not dead? Then, we highlighted one of the studies made by 20th century literary criticism, which used various interpretive tools. The reading that made Roland Barthes in Sur Racine (1963) overturns the earlier interpretation that was made in conformity to the classical doctrine, presenting Pyrrhus as the great tragic hero, and the most emancipated character of Racine’s theater.