About
Henry Becque (1837-1899) was a French dramatist and literary critic, a major figure of theatrical realism and a forerunner of naturalism. His masterpiece, Les Corbeaux (The Vultures, 1882), a five-act drama about a struggle over an inheritance, was poorly received at its premiere but later recognized as a landmark. His greatest commercial success, La Parisienne (1885), scandalized audiences with its frank portrayal of a married woman and her two lovers. His plays rejected the well-made play in favor of a loose structure driven by character. He lived in poverty and isolation, failed in bids for the Académie française, but was celebrated posthumously.
* 1837-04-18 — † 1899-05-12
Major works
- Les Corbeaux (1882)drama
- La Parisienne (1885)comedy
- Michel Pauper (1870)drama
- L'Enfant prodigue (1868)vaudeville
- Querelles littéraires (1890)critical essays
Key milestones
- 1882Premiere of Les Corbeaux, which had only three performances initially.
- 1885Premiere of La Parisienne, his greatest commercial success.
- 1899Posthumous publication of his complete theater in three volumes.
Themes
realismsocial critiquebourgeois hypocrisypower relationsfailure and isolation
Sources: britannica.com · oxfordreference.com · ebsco.com