Tite et Bérenice (1670 Corneille), play

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Tite et Bérenice <French> / Titus and Berenice (1670) is a play by Pierre Corneille.

Abstract

Corneille made Berenice queen of Judea, who during the war had offered assistance against the rebels. Rome was duly grateful to such an ally, but would not allow Titus to marry her. Rather than betray his country Titus was prepared to renounce it altogether and follow Berenice to Judaea. In the end it was not the magnitude of his sacrifice that made Berenice give him up, but the Senate's decision to raise her to the status of a Roman citizen. She was now prepared to sacrifice her love for the good of a country that had acknowledged her as a subject. The play, written in competition with Bérénice (1670 Racine), play, was overshadowed by the success of its rival.

Editions

Published in Paris, France: Guillaume de Luyne, 1671.

Performance history

Premiered in Paris, France: Théâtre du Palais Royal, 28 Nov 1670.

External links