Phalante

This play by a young Toulouse lawyer-poet, was published posthumously in 1611 and has since been largely neglected. It is reprinted here for the first time, accompanied by an introductory study, explanatory notes and a glossary. Phalante offers the reader an early example of the French “dilemma play” exploiting the theme of inner conflict. At the same time, because it dramatises a story which appeared in Sidney’s Arcadia (published in 1590, but not translated into French until 1624), it poses questions about contemporary Anglo-French literary relations.

Alan Howe is Lecturer in French, University of Liverpool.