Cardinal Richelieu shaped French theatre in the 17th century. He used his power to support playwrights and build new theatres, pushing for a more refined style. This laid the groundwork for French neoclassical theatre and made plays a serious art form.

The Académie Française, founded by Richelieu, set strict rules for plays. They pushed for the "unities" of time, place, and action. This made French theatre more uniform but also more respected as a tool for learning and morals.

Richelieu's Influence on French Theatre

Patronage and Control

• Cardinal Richelieu, chief minister to King Louis XIII, recognized theatre's power as a tool for political influence and sought to control its content and form
• Provided financial support and patronage to playwrights and theatre companies, encouraging works that aligned with his political and cultural agenda
  • This patronage system helped establish a professional theatre industry in France
• Richelieu's influence extended to the physical spaces of theatre, overseeing the construction of new, purpose-built theatres in Paris (Théâtre du Marais, Hôtel de Bourgogne)
  • These theatres provided a more controlled and prestigious environment for performances

Shift Towards Neoclassical Style

• Under Richelieu's influence, French theatre moved away from improvisational and bawdy styles of the past
• Encouraged a more refined, classical style emphasizing order, clarity, and decorum
  • This shift laid the foundation for the development of French neoclassical theatre
• Richelieu's patronage and control helped elevate theatre's status as a serious art form and vehicle for intellectual and moral instruction

Académie Française and Theatrical Standards

Establishment and Purpose

• Founded in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu as a state-sponsored institution
• Aimed to regulate and standardize the French language and literature, including theatre
• Set strict rules and guidelines for the composition and performance of plays, known as the "unities" of time, place, and action
  • Plays should take place within a 24-hour period, in a single location, and with a unified plot

Impact on Theatrical Style and Content

• The Académie's emphasis on neoclassical principles (unities, decorum, verisimilitude) significantly impacted the style and content of French plays during the 17th century
  • Playwrights were expected to adhere to these standards to gain acceptance and success
• The Académie's rigid standards and control led to a certain uniformity in French theatre during this period
• However, it also helped elevate theatre's status as a serious art form and vehicle for intellectual and moral instruction

Influence on Performance and Production

• The Académie set standards for acting, scenery, and costumes
  • Actors were expected to deliver lines in a clear, measured style
  • Sets and costumes were to be simple and understated to not distract from the text
• The Académie's influence extended beyond the page, shaping the overall theatrical experience and production values

Politics and Theatre in 17th-Century France

Theatre as a Political Tool

• In 17th-century France, theatre was deeply intertwined with politics, serving as a tool for both political propaganda and social commentary
• The monarchy and the Catholic Church recognized theatre's power to shape public opinion and exert control over the population
• Cardinal Richelieu's patronage of theatre was driven by his desire to use the stage to promote the absolutist ideology of the French monarchy
  • Plays celebrating the power and glory of the king and the state were encouraged and rewarded

Political Criticism and Subversion

• Theatre was also used as a vehicle for political criticism and subversion
• Playwrights like Molière used comedy and satire to critique the hypocrisy and corruption of the ruling classes
  • Often pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable under the watchful eye of the authorities
• The tension between political control and artistic freedom was a constant theme in 17th-century French theatre
  • Playwrights and actors had to navigate the complex web of patronage, censorship, and public opinion to succeed

Theatre as a Social Space

• The relationship between politics and theatre extended to the audience, as the theatre became a space where different social classes and factions could interact
• The seating arrangements and social rituals of the theatre reflected and reinforced the hierarchical structure of French society
• The theatre served as a microcosm of French society, where political and social dynamics played out on and off the stage