Reprint of the original, first published in 1873.

"An English translation, in iambic pentameter couplets, of The Fratricides, a play by seventeenth-century French playwright Jean Racine"--Provided by publisher.

Strongly influenced by Classical drama, Jean Racine (1639-99) broke away from the grandiose theatricality of baroque drama to create works of intense psychological realism, with characters manipulated by cruel and vengeful gods. Iphigenia depicts a princess's absolute submission to her father's will, despite his determination to sacrifice her to gain divine favour before going to war. Described by Voltaire as 'the masterpiece of the human mind', Phaedra shows a woman's struggle to overcome her overwhelming passion for her stepson - an obsession that brings destruction to a noble family. And Athaliah portrays a ruthless pagan queen, who defies Jehovah in her desperate attempt to keep the throne of Jerusalem from its legitimate heir.

Jean Racine (1639-99) remains to this day the greatest of French poetic dramatists. Racine's tragedies portray characters wrestling with ambition, treachery, religion, and love.