Overview of Prosper Jolyot de Crébillon's Literary Journey

Prosper Jolyot de Crébillon is renowned for his significant contributions to French theater, particularly during the early 18th century. His literary career is distinctly divided into two phases, marked by his initial success with neoclassical tragedies and his later acclaimed works after a long hiatus. Despite the controversial nature of his plays, Crébillon remains a noteworthy figure in the evolution of French drama.

Early Career and Neoclassical Tragedies

Crébillon embarked on his literary journey between 1705 and 1726, during which he crafted seven neoclassical tragedies. These plays adhered to the traditional five-act structure and were composed in Alexandrine verse. While his works faced criticism for their excessive melodrama, they were nonetheless appreciated by audiences and critics alike. The culmination of this phase was the release of Catilina in 1748, which was met with warm accolades, leading to a compilation of his tragedies being published within two years. His final work, Le Triumvirat, depicted the demise of the Roman orator Cicero, marking the end of his dramatic contributions.

Educational Background and Personal Life

Crébillon received his education at the Mazarin Jesuit school, followed by studying law in Besançon, much like his father. He later moved to Paris, where he worked as a clerk in a law office. In 1720, he experienced a significant financial setback due to the collapse of financier John Law’s Mississippi scheme, coinciding with the passing of his wife. Despite these personal challenges, he raised two sons, one of whom, Claude-Prosper Jolyot de Crébillon, became a distinguished novelist exploring themes of moral corruption among the aristocracy.

Influences and Themes in Crébillon's Works

Crébillon's tragedies often drew inspiration from Seneca’s intense and vivid plays, incorporating Romanesque elements characterized by grandiose language, convoluted plots, and numerous scenes of recognition. His works represent a key transitional period in French theater, bridging the gap between the classical tragedies of Pierre Corneille and Jean Racine and the Romantic tragedies of the 19th century. Voltaire notably adapted five of Crébillon’s plots, possibly to incite competition, although Crébillon himself showed little interest in engaging in literary rivalries.

Later Career and Recognition

During the latter part of his career, Crébillon had the fortune of having Jeanne Poisson as a student when she was just nineteen. Her eventual rise as the influential marquise de Pompadour, and her position as Louis XV's mistress, provided Crébillon with significant patronage. His role as a censor for the monarchy between 1735 and 1745 further solidified his standing, after which he was honored with a sinecure at the Royal Library and a generous pension. In 1731, his achievements were recognized with his election to the French Academy. While many view his tragedies as peculiar historical remnants, deeper analysis reveals his genuine emotional depth, remarkable creativity, and theatrical prowess.

Significant Studies and Bibliography

Ciureanu, Petre. Crébillon. Geneva: M. Bozzi, 1965. This study, written in French, offers an insightful exploration of Crébillon's works.

Dutrait, Maurice. Étude sur la vie et le théâtre de Crébillon, 1674-1762. Originally published in 1895 and reprinted by Slatkine Reprints in 1970, this early study delves into Crébillon's life and theatrical contributions.

Lancaster, Henry Carrington. French Tragedy in the Time of Louis XIV and Voltaire, 1715-1774. This two-volume set from The Johns Hopkins University Press in 1950 examines Crébillon’s later career, offering a comprehensive account of his impact on French drama history.

Lancaster, Henry Carrington. Sunset: A History of Parisian Drama in the Last Years of Louis XIV, 1701-1715. Published in 1945, this book provides insights into the early stages of Crébillon’s career.

LeClerc, Paul O. Voltaire and Crébillon Père: History of an Enmity. Released as part of the Studies on Voltaire and the Eighteenth Century series by the Voltaire Foundation in 1973, this work explores the historical enmity between Voltaire and Crébillon.