BOSSUET (Jacques Bénigne). Maximes et réflexions... Lot 10

BOSSUET (Jacques Bénigne). Maximes et réflexions sur la comédie. Paris, Delusseux, 1728, in-12, (8)-152 p., full brown calf of the time, smooth spine decorated (minor defects). The 17th century saw the development of a long polemic on the subject of the morality of the theater that can be summarized by the question asked by a religious, Fr. Caffaro, in the preface to an edition of Boursault's comedies: "Can comedy be permitted or must it be absolutely forbidden? In response to this question Bossuet published this treatise where are condemned comedies and comedians but also the tragedies of Racine and Corneille. In this treaty where the bishop of Meaux shows himself fine psychologist and skilful polemicist, Bossuet condemns Molière and the "impieties and infamies of which his comedies are full", "the most coarse equivocations of which one ever infected the ears of the Christians", as well as the painting of the "pleasant passions" at Corneille and Racine.