One among the greatest dramatists that France produced during the seventeenth century is Pierre Corneille. He was instrumental in paving a new path for French tragedy, defying the classical theories of drama. Though he was born into a family where most people were lawyers by profession, Corneille decided to travel on a different path altogether, unlike his relatives. He had an innate interest in plays and wrote them even while he was engaged with a job at the ‘Rouen department of Forests and Rivers’. Pierre’s innovative style of writing was evident from his first play itself and when it was staged, it earned him many accolades and launched his career as a playwright. He dabbled with writing verses as well and soon his talent as a poet attracted a Cardinal who chose him among his ‘Five Poets’. However, he felt suffocated to follow the Cardinal’s rules in writing, as those did not allow him to exercise his creativity to the fullest. So he parted ways with the Cardinal and followed his instinct, which led him to become one of the most exceptional and famous playwrights who reigned over the French stage for years. This playwright also approached the creation of French tragedy in a new manner, thus creating a new trend.
