8.2 Victor Hugo and the battle of Hernani

Victor Hugo's play 'Hernani' shook up French theatre in 1830. It broke all the old rules, mixing up time and place, and focusing on passion and freedom. This clash between old and new styles sparked a huge debate.

The "Battle of Hernani" wasn't just about one play. It was a turning point for French theatre, pitting traditional classicists against bold romantics. Hugo's win opened doors for new ideas and styles on stage.

'Hernani' in Romantic Theatre

Significance of 'Hernani' in Romantic Theatre

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• 'Hernani' is a five-act play written by Victor Hugo, first performed in 1830 at the Comédie-Française in Paris
• Considered a landmark work of the Romantic movement in French theatre
• Set in 16th-century Spain and tells the story of Hernani, a noble-turned-bandit, and his love for Doña Sol, who is also loved by her uncle, Don Ruy Gomez de Silva, and the king, Don Carlos
• Embodies key elements of Romantic theatre
  • Rejects classical rules
  • Emphasizes individual freedom and passion
  • Explores exotic settings (16th-century Spain) and historical periods
• Uses poetic language, dynamic characters, and intense emotions to exemplify the Romantic ideal of expressing the inner world of the individual
• Challenges the traditional unities of time, place, and action, which were strictly adhered to in classical French theatre
  • Spans a year and takes place in various locations across Spain

Impact of 'Hernani' on Victor Hugo and French Theatre

• Success of 'Hernani' helped establish Victor Hugo as a leading figure of the Romantic movement
• Paved the way for further innovations in French theatre
  • Encouraged experimentation with new themes, styles, and forms
  • Inspired other playwrights and artists to challenge traditional norms
• Validated Hugo's vision for a more diverse and innovative French theatre that could embrace Romantic ideals
• Demonstrated the potential for theatre to explore new themes and styles beyond the confines of classical conventions

Controversy of 'Hernani'

The "Battle of Hernani"

• Premiere of 'Hernani' on February 25, 1830, at the Comédie-Française, marked by a heated debate between supporters of classical theatre and proponents of the new Romantic movement
• Classical theatre advocates, known as the "Classicists," defended traditional rules of drama
  • Unities of time, place, and action
  • Use of elevated language and decorum on stage
• Romantic theatre supporters, called the "Romantics," championed freedom to break classical rules
  • Expression of individual emotions
  • Exploration of new themes and styles
• Romantics, led by Victor Hugo, organized a group of young artists and writers to attend the premiere and support the play
• Classicists aimed to disrupt the performance and voice their opposition

Significance of the "Battle of Hernani"

• Premiere characterized by loud cheering, booing, and even physical altercations between the two factions
  • Romantics ultimately prevailed and ensured the play's successful run
• Symbolized the broader conflict between the old and new guard in French theatre
• Marked a turning point in the acceptance of Romantic ideas and aesthetics
• Helped to legitimize the Romantic movement in French theatre
• Encouraged further experimentation and innovation by playwrights and artists
  • Challenged established conventions and pushed boundaries
  • Opened doors for new forms of artistic expression

Hugo's Challenge to Conventions

Hugo's Romantic Principles

• Victor Hugo, as a leading figure of the Romantic movement, played a crucial role in challenging established conventions of French theatre and advocating for artistic freedom
• In his preface to 'Cromwell' (1827), Hugo laid out the principles of Romantic drama
  • Rejected the classical unities
  • Argued for a more realistic and expressive form of theatre that reflected the complexities of human nature
• With 'Hernani,' Hugo put his Romantic principles into practice
  • Created a play that defied traditional rules
  • Showcased the power of individual passion and emotion

Hugo's Influence on French Theatre

• Success of 'Hernani,' despite initial controversy, validated Hugo's vision for a more diverse and innovative French theatre that could embrace Romantic ideals
• Hugo's influence extended beyond his own works
  • Ideas and the "Battle of Hernani" inspired other playwrights and artists to experiment with new forms and challenge traditional theatrical norms
  • Encouraged a new generation of artists to push boundaries and explore new themes
• As a prominent public figure and intellectual, Hugo used his platform to advocate for artistic freedom and the importance of theatre as a means of social and political expression
  • Argued that theatre should reflect the realities and concerns of modern society
  • Believed in the power of art to inspire change and provoke thought