HERNANI, by Victor Hugo, is an epoch marking play in the history of French drama. Finished in September 1829, eagerly accepted by the committee of the Theatre Francais in October, it was found so radical in its departure from French dramatic traditions, both in structure and in versification, that intense op position to it developed among actors and dra matic journalists, so that its first performance, 25 Feb. 1830, became a sort of pitched battle between the classicists and romanticists, the conservatives and the innovators. Gautier in his 'Histoire du romantisme) has given the classic account of this memorable struggle in which he bore the most conspicuous part. It extended through 45 performances. Almost every line had been at sonic time applauded or hissed, four parodies had appeared in as many Parisian theatres, before it was withdrawn. Victory rested with the radicals, but rather for the cause than for the drama. (Hernani) is still occasionally acted, but its merits are lyric rather than dramatic. It has many passages of great strength an 1 some of striking beauty, but it lacks unity of action and is continued beyond a satisfying conclusion. The time of the play is 1519. It opens and closes at Saragossa. The third act is in the mountains of Aragon, the fourth at Aix-la-Chapelle. The story has no historical basis, though historical incidents and personages are skilfully involved in it. Doila Sol, the heroine, niece of Don
Ruy Gomez de Silva, is beloved by him, by Don Carlos, king of Spain, and by Hemani, bandit pretender to the throne. The king favors her marriage with Gomez; she favors Hernani. The three rivals, fanatically devoted to ideals of Castilian honor, spare and protect one another. Gomez even suffers the king to take Dona Sol from his castle on the appointed wedding day rather than give up Hernani, his uninvited guest. Hemani, pledging his own life to his rival's command, enlists him in a con spiracy to defeat the election of Carlos as em peror. Carlos, triumphing, gives Dona Sol to Hernani. Gomez, recalling Hernani to his pledge, bids the bridegroom drink the poison he has prepared. Dorm Sol shares it. Gomez kills himself. The play's finest passages are the monologue of the newly-elected Emperor Charles V (Act 4, Sc. 2), the closing love and death scenes (Act 5, Sc. 3 and 6) and the por trait scene at the castle of Gomez (Act 3, Sc. 6). is edited with English notes by Matzke (1893), Harper (1891) and Perry (1888)„Consult Le Roy, L'Aube du theatre romantique> (1904), and for contemporary criti cism Bire, 'V. Hugo avant 1830,> pp. —508. Translations in Vol. I of 'Dramas by V. Hugo' (Boston 1903), and in 'Dramatic Works of V. Hugo> (London 1913).