Le fratricide à l’antique dans la tragédie post-thermidorienne. Chénier, Lemercier, Legouvé

Abstract

The motif of brotherhood (natural, chosen or in combat) played a central role in the dramatic art of the revolutionary decade. Numerous authors contributed to the development of its tragic myth, exploring its sublime side or, conversely, the dark side of a fundamental cainism. This study explores the theme of fratricide in post-Thermidorian tragedy, analysing how the playwrights of the period (Chénier, Lemercier, Legouvé) thematize the contrast between family ties and an eminently political libido dominandi. The analysis focuses on tragedies inspired by various ancient subjects, revealing their aesthetic contributions and their implications for the changing political context.

Keywords

• Lemercier (Népomucène)
• French Revolution
• Chénier (Marie-Joseph)
• post-Thermidorian tragedy
• Legouvé (Gabriel-Marie)
• fratricide