Cocteau, Jean (Vol. 8) - Cocteau, Jean 1889–1963
Cocteau, Jean 1889–1963
Cocteau is a French poet, novelist, playwright, essayist, and film-maker. His concern with myth and mythological themes is expressed in such works as his drama Orphée. One of his most arresting works is the haunting novel Les Enfants Terribles, a horrifying view of French bourgeois life. Les Enfants Terribles, Orphée, and other of his works were made into films under Cocteau's direction. (See also CLC, Vol. 1, and Contemporary Authors, Vols. 25-28; Contemporary Authors Permanent Series, Vol. 2.)
With regard to Antigone [Cocteau] says: "I have tried to give a bird's eye view of Antigone, so great beauties disappear, others are brought out; perhaps my experiment is one way to bring to life the old masterpieces." Or again, about Roméo et Juliette: "I wanted to operate upon a drama of Shakespeare in order to discover the bones under the adornments; I have...
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