Sodom and Gomorrah (French title: Sodome et Gomorrhe) is a play by French dramatist Jean Giraudoux (1882–1944). Composed as a tragedy set in the biblical city of Sodom, the play was first published in 1943.
Sodom and Gomorrah
The Sodomites struck with blindness (Genesis 19:11) illustrations of 1728 by Gerard Hoet
Although Giraudoux was a prolific writer before World War II, Sodome et Gomorrhe was his only new work produced during the German occupation.[1] The play was first translated into English by Herma Briffault in Barry Ulanov's Makers of the Modern Theatre (1961).[2][3]
Synopsisedit
One of Giradoux's darkest works, the themes and lessons of Sodom and Gomorrah are "deeply pessimistic".[4] The play explores the fundamental differences between man and woman, their different expectations and the unlikelihood of their satisfaction. The plot begins with an angel proclaiming that the people of the two cities will be destroyed unless they can show among themselves an example of true love. The characters of Lia and Jean are introduced as the best evidence, but over the course of the play their fidelity erodes, ending with Lia's seemingly wanton betrayal of Jean. Lasting love of any kind appears impossible. Inevitably, divine judgment condemns the two cities, and mankind itself, for failing to prove the existence of even one happy couple.[1]
Original productionedit
Sodom and Gomorrah was first performed on 11 October 1943[5] in Paris at the Théâtre Hébertot in a production by Georges Douking.[6] With a cast that included the popular French stars Edwige Feuillère as Lia and Gérard Philipe as Jean, this original production was a commercial success and ran for over two hundred performances.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcBradby, David (1984). Modern French Drama, 1940–1990. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 18. ISBN0-521-40271-9. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
^Cohen, Robert (1968). Jean Giraudoux; Three Faces of Destiny. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 159. ISBN0-226-11248-9.
^Ulyanov, Barry (1961). Makers of the Modern Theatre. New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. v, 429ff. OCLC 272719.
^Bédé, Jean Albert; Edgerton, William B., eds. (1980). Columbia Dictionary of Modern European Literature. New York: Columbia University Press. p. 311. ISBN0-231-03717-1. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
^Grossvogel, David I. (1961). 20th Century French Drama. New York: Columbia University Press. p. 342. OCLC 756447778.
^Inskip, Donald (1958). Jean Giraudoux, The Making of a Dramatist. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 182. OCLC 518905.
January 01, 1970
sodom, gomorrah, play, sodom, gomorrah, french, title, sodome, gomorrhe, play, french, dramatist, jean, giraudoux, 1882, 1944, composed, tragedy, biblical, city, sodom, play, first, published, 1943, sodom, gomorrahthe, sodomites, struck, with, blindness, genes. Sodom and Gomorrah French title Sodome et Gomorrhe is a play by French dramatist Jean Giraudoux 1882 1944 Composed as a tragedy set in the biblical city of Sodom the play was first published in 1943 Sodom and GomorrahThe Sodomites struck with blindness Genesis 19 11 illustrations of 1728 by Gerard HoetWritten byJean GiraudouxCharactersLia Jean Ruth Jacques Luc Martha Pierre Judith Salome Athalie Samson DalilaDate premiered11 October 1943Place premieredTheatre Hebertot in ParisOriginal languageFrenchSubjectDivine retribution for human failureGenreTragedySettingBiblical city of Sodom Contents 1 History 2 Synopsis 3 Original production 4 ReferencesHistory editAlthough Giraudoux was a prolific writer before World War II Sodome et Gomorrhe was his only new work produced during the German occupation 1 The play was first translated into English by Herma Briffault in Barry Ulanov s Makers of the Modern Theatre 1961 2 3 Synopsis editOne of Giradoux s darkest works the themes and lessons of Sodom and Gomorrah are deeply pessimistic 4 The play explores the fundamental differences between man and woman their different expectations and the unlikelihood of their satisfaction The plot begins with an angel proclaiming that the people of the two cities will be destroyed unless they can show among themselves an example of true love The characters of Lia and Jean are introduced as the best evidence but over the course of the play their fidelity erodes ending with Lia s seemingly wanton betrayal of Jean Lasting love of any kind appears impossible Inevitably divine judgment condemns the two cities and mankind itself for failing to prove the existence of even one happy couple 1 Original production editSodom and Gomorrah was first performed on 11 October 1943 5 in Paris at the Theatre Hebertot in a production by Georges Douking 6 With a cast that included the popular French stars Edwige Feuillere as Lia and Gerard Philipe as Jean this original production was a commercial success and ran for over two hundred performances 1 References edit a b c Bradby David 1984 Modern French Drama 1940 1990 Cambridge Cambridge University Press p 18 ISBN 0 521 40271 9 Retrieved 25 May 2012 Cohen Robert 1968 Jean Giraudoux Three Faces of Destiny Chicago University of Chicago Press p 159 ISBN 0 226 11248 9 Ulyanov Barry 1961 Makers of the Modern Theatre New York McGraw Hill pp v 429ff OCLC 272719 Bede Jean Albert Edgerton William B eds 1980 Columbia Dictionary of Modern European Literature New York Columbia University Press p 311 ISBN 0 231 03717 1 Retrieved 25 March 2012 Grossvogel David I 1961 20th Century French Drama New York Columbia University Press p 342 OCLC 756447778 Inskip Donald 1958 Jean Giraudoux The Making of a Dramatist New York Oxford University Press p 182 OCLC 518905 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sodom and Gomorrah play amp oldid 1188685032, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
