Mélite

work by Corneille

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

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Mélite is an early comedy by Pierre Corneille, first performed in 1629. It was Corneille's first play and achieved surprising success when performed in Paris. The play is described as elegant and witty, drawing on personal experiences.1

Mélite is considered a significant work as it marked the beginning of Corneille's prolific career and contributed to the development of French comedy. While Corneille is more widely known for his tragedies, Mélite demonstrates his early talent for lighter dramatic forms.12

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Pierre Corneille
Early life and career.
…an elegant and witty comedy, Mélite, first performed in Rouen in 1629. When it was repeated in Paris the following year, it built into a steady (and, according to Corneille, surprising) success. His next plays were the tragicomedy Clitandre (performed 1631) and a series of comedies including La Veuve (performed…
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…an elegant and witty comedy, Mélite, first performed in Rouen in 1629. When it was repeated in Paris the following year, it built into a steady (and, according to Corneille, surprising) success. His next plays were the tragicomedy Clitandre (performed 1631) and a series of comedies including La Veuve (performed…
Read More