La Calprenède
Gauthier de Costes, seigneur de la Calprenède, was a notable French writer born in Perigord, France, in the 17th century. He is recognized for his role as a romantic novelist and tragic dramatist during a period when heroic romances gained immense popularity among readers seeking uplifting and entertaining literature following the tumultuous religious wars. La Calprenède's works typically featured grand heroes, intricate plots, and moral themes, often set in ancient historical contexts. His major publications include the extensive heroic romances "Cassandre," "Cléopâtre," and "Faramond," as well as "Les Nouvelles," a work that has unclear authorship between him and his wife. His writing style is characterized by the use of refined language and a deep exploration of sentiments, particularly love. Despite receiving acclaim from prominent figures in Parisian society, including Madame de Sevigné, he faced criticism from contemporaries like Nicolas Boileau, who challenged the quality of his narratives. La Calprenède's theatrical contributions include his play "Le Comte d'Essex," regarded as one of his finest works. He passed away in 1663, leaving a legacy in the realm of seventeenth-century literature, particularly in the genre of précieux novels.
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La Calprenède
Author
- Born: Probably 1609 or 1610
- Birthplace: Château de Toulgou, Périgord, Dordogne, France
- Died: October 1, 1663
- Place of death: Le Grand Andely, France
Biography
Gauthier de Costes, seigneur de la Calprenède was born at the Château de Toulgou, Perigord, Dordogne, France. He completed his education in Toulouse before traveling to Paris, where he entered the Regiment of the Guards. In 1650, he became a gentleman-in-ordinary of the king’s household.
La Calprenède was both a romantic novelist and a tragic dramatist. Heroic romances were extremely popular in his time. After the bitter conflict of the religious wars at the end of the sixteenth century, the reading public was eager for literature that was uplifting and entertaining. The heroic romance catered to their taste. These novels, which were set in ancient historical periods, portrayed larger-than-life heroes, had complicated plots, and were valued for their morality and fine sentiments. The novels were also extremely long, comprising multiple volumes. They also often were rumored to be romans à cléf, depicting important contemporary individuals under the guise of historical characters.
La Calprenède published three long heroic romances, Cassandre (10 volumes 1642-1645), Cléopâtre (1646-1657), and Faramond (1661-1663). An additional novel, Les Nouvelles: Ou, Les Divertissements de la princesse Alcidiane was published in 1661. The novel appeared with La Calprenède’s wife named as the author, but there is some question as to which one of the spouses actually wrote the book.
La Calprenède’s work was appreciated by the many of the most prominent members of the cultured society of Paris. Madame de Sevigné was particularly fond of his novels. He did, however, have his critics. Nicolas Boileau, who wrote L’Art poétique (1674) and was instrumental in the development of the rules of classical French literature, wrote scathing criticism of La Calprenède novels and ridiculed them unmercifully.
La Calprenède also wrote for the theater. In 1638, he published Le Comte d’Essex, which is usually considered his best play. He died in 1663 at Le Grand Andely, France. La Calprenède’s novels are excellent examples of what came to be referred to as précieux novels, written in overly refined language, portraying perfect heroes and heroines and a substantial analysis of sentiments, especially love. La Calprenède is best remembered for his contributions to the heroic style of writing popular in the seventeenth century.