Theatrical Tragedy and Moral Phenomena: A Cross-Examination of Morality in Rotrou, Racine, and Nietzsche
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Date
2014-06
Authors
Howe, Dylan M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
This paper seeks to distinguish between two different moral dispositions found in
two texts that have a similar context. Le Veritable St. Genest by Jean Rotrou and Phedre
by Jean Racine both were written in France during the 171
h century and look back to
Antiquity for their setting. However, the moral assertions provided in these texts suggest
opposite senses of morality. In order to distinguish between these two texts, a careful
examination of morality drawing upon a genealogical critique as suggested by Friedrich
Nietzsche proves useful. As Nietzsche suggests that the common notion of the "good" has
undergone a total reversal from its original meaning in Antiquity, this idea can be used as
an analytic tool to examine morality in these texts that look back to Antiquity from the
modern era.
Description
59 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of French and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, Spring 2014.
Keywords
Moral Theory, Tragedy, 17th Century Literature, Theatrical Analysis, Modernity, Ethical Systems