Pierre Corneille - Chefs-d'œuvre de P. Corneille - 1799

A rare four-volume ensemble of this prestigious gathering of Pierre Corneille’s principal dramatic works, offering a complete panorama of the evolution of the playwright who decisively contributed to the formation of French classical theatre in the 17th century.

This edition gathers Corneille’s most famous tragedies, tragicomedies and comedies, accompanied by prefaces, discourses, and sometimes analyses in which the author presents his conceptions of the drama.

It allows the reader to trace the development of his genius from the early works to the great tragedies of maturity, while highlighting the aesthetic principles that have deeply influenced French literature.

The volumes open with the foundational pieces of his renown, notably Le Cid, whose plot pits love against honor through the characters Rodrigue and Chimène, illustrating moral dilemmas that will become the author’s hallmark.

Pierre Corneille - Masterpieces of P. Corneille - 1799 - Volumes I, II, III and IV - P. Didot l’aîné -
256, 318 and 316 pages

Good condition of bindings, works in their original full tawny morocco bindings, wear from use, some minor defects on boards and spine, several headpieces missing, edges and corners worn, speckled fore-edges, smooth spines decorated with gold tooling, titles and volume numbers gilt on morocco leather panels -

Good interior condition, foxing and small damp marks, handsome vignette on the title page, endpaper guards in decent state, overall good condition -

Delivery service guaranteed within a few days -