Louis XIV of France Summary

Louis XIV (1638-1715) was king of France from 1643 to 1715. He brought the French monarchy to its peak of absolute power and made France the dominant power in Europe. His reign is also associated with... Read more

In the excerpt that follows, Barras describes the opposition of the Roman Catholic Church to seventeenth-century theatre. Led by [Jacques-Bénigne] Bossuet the Church presented, officially at... Read more

An English historian and critic, Dobrée distinguished himself both as a leading authority on Restoration drama and as a biographer who sought, through vivid depiction and style, to establish bi... Read more

In the essay that follows, Caldicott examines several common "burlesque" features of seventeenth-century comedy. It is, of course, quite paradoxical that the term 'baroque�... Read more

In the following excerpt, Herrick examines several tragicomedies by mid-seventeenth-century dramatists Pierre Du Ryer and Jean de Rotrou. [Pierre Du Ryer's] best tragedy, and the most famous... Read more

In the following excerpt, Gethner contends that a political dimension is typically present in seventeenth-century French tragicomedies and is often closely related to other elements of the plot. Th... Read more

In the essay that follows, Forsyth describes the principles of classical doctrine and how these rules were upheld by seventeenth-century French dramatists. There is a common belief in English-speak... Read more

In the essay that follows, Baudin discusses the depiction of popular sentiment in seventeenth century French tragedy in relation to the changing political atmosphere of the time. [Cardinal] Richeli... Read more

In the following excerpt, Lockert discusses the weaknesses of several critics' assessments of French neo-classical tragedies and argues that greater consideration should be given to the works o... Read more

Brereton is an English scholar who has written extensively on French literature of the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. In the following excerpt, Brereton analyzes the lack of develop... Read more

France was an absoulte monarchy ruled by Louis the XIV that was assisted by Colbert. It was an absolutist state, meaning that the authority of France was only the King's and no one else's. Colbert... Read more

Most know Louis XIV for his extravagant spending and lavish palaces but Louis XIV will always be remembered as one the greatest rulers of France. He is the model that future rulers looked to for examp... Read more

The fact itself that courtiers of Louis XIV were required to show deference and respect to him enhanced his position as Absolute Monarch. However there are many other ways in which the life of the cou... Read more