Mairet, Jean

The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre | 1996 | 700+ words | Copyright

Mairet, Jean (1604–86), French dramatist, whose reputation suffered in later years from his opposition to Corneille in the literary war over Le Cid (1637). He was, however, the foremost dramatist of his time and the first to formulate and use the theory of the unities, newly developed in Italy. His first play, Chryséide et Arimand (1625), was a tragi-comedy which figured in the repertory of both the Hôtel de Bourgogne and the Marais. In the preface to a pastoral, Silvanire (1630), published in 1631 he first put forward his theory of the unity of time and place, and in his most important play, Sophonisbe (1634), a tragedy on a Roman theme, he laid the foundations of French classical tragedy. The play already possessed the simplicity, refinement, and concentration needed for such a work, and it had an immediate influence. Mairet remained attached as dramatist to Montdory's troupe until 1640, then retired from the theatre and entered the diplomatic service.

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PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Mairet, Jean." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Mairet, Jean." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O79-MairetJean.html

PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Mairet, Jean." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O79-MairetJean.html

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