The Philosopher Who Shook the World (and Maybe Started a Revolution) Jean-Jacques Rousseau was not the type to keep his opinions to himself. In the 18th century—a time when aristocrats were sipping wine and pretending everything was fine—Rousseau came along and basically said, “Society is a mess, and we’re all doing life wrong.” His works,…
When Writing Had to Be as Graceful as a Courtly Bow Imagine living in 17th-century France. The wigs are tall, the etiquette is stricter than a royal decree, and literature? It must be elegant, refined, and perfectly balanced—like a Versailles fountain. Welcome to the age of Classicism, where French writers followed rules more strictly than…
Honour, Romance, and a Whole Lot of Drama Ah, Le Cid—the 17th-century French play that basically invented the phrase, “It’s complicated.” Pierre Corneille’s most famous tragedy (or “tragicomedy” if we’re being technical) is a high-stakes soap opera with honour duels, star-crossed lovers, and enough existential angst to make a philosophy major jealous. It’s a story…
In the grand tradition of French literature, few things are as dramatic, rigid, and fate-sealing as l’honneur. Whether in the plays of Corneille, Racine, or Voltaire, the concept of honour dictated love, revenge, and the ultimate downfall of many tragic heroes and heroines. But what exactly was this code of honour, and why did it…
Jean de La Fontaine’s Fables: Timeless Lessons from Talking Animals If you ever thought Aesop had the market cornered on wise-cracking animals with life advice, let me introduce you to Jean de La Fontaine. This 17th-century French literary legend turned morality into an art form, disguising sharp social commentary in charming little animal tales. His…
How One King Turned Writers into Celebrities If there was ever a monarch who understood the power of PR, it was Louis XIV. Known as the “Sun King,” he didn’t just bathe Versailles in golden light—he turned French literature into a dazzling spectacle. Under his reign (1643–1715), France experienced a literary golden age, one where…
Corneille vs. Racine: The Great Tragedy Showdown If 17th-century French drama were a boxing match, Pierre Corneille and Jean Racine would be in opposing corners, gloved up and ready to duel—though, being classicists, they’d probably just write scathing alexandrines about each other instead. These two literary heavyweights dominated the tragic stage during the reign of…
Molière’s Genius: How He Used Comedy to Expose Society’s Flaws Few playwrights have had the audacity to turn society’s absurdities into theatrical gold quite like Molière. The 17th-century French dramatist mastered the art of satire, skewering hypocrisy, vanity, and moral pretension with such wit that his plays remain as sharp and relevant today as they…
