French playwrights in the 17th century are associated with which movement?

French playwrights in the 17th century are associated with which movement?

• A. Romanticism
• B. Classicism
• C. Realism
• D. Modernism

Answer: (B)

Classicism in 17th-century French theatre emphasizes order, balance, and adherence to rules. Playwrights of this era—like Molière, Racine, and Corneille—strived for clarity, restraint, and a sense of universal dignity in their work. They looked back to ancient Greek and Roman models and aligned drama with the ideals of the French court: reason over sentiment, precision of form, and a social, moral purpose. This meant following the unities of action, time, and place; maintaining decorum and refined language; and aiming to teach rather than indulge in sensationalism. Because of these features, 17th-century French drama is most accurately described as Classicism. Romanticism comes later with a focus on emotion and individual genius; Realism centers on depicting everyday life with accuracy; Modernism experiments with form and language.

Classicism in 17th-century French theatre emphasizes order, balance, and adherence to rules. Playwrights of this era—like Molière, Racine, and Corneille—strived for clarity, restraint, and a sense of universal dignity in their work. They looked back to ancient Greek and Roman models and aligned drama with the ideals of the French court: reason over sentiment, precision of form, and a social, moral purpose. This meant following the unities of action, time, and place; maintaining decorum and refined language; and aiming to teach rather than indulge in sensationalism. Because of these features, 17th-century French drama is most accurately described as Classicism.

Romanticism comes later with a focus on emotion and individual genius; Realism centers on depicting everyday life with accuracy; Modernism experiments with form and language.