Tancrède

Voltaire's Tancrède was a significant tragedy produced in 1760, marking one of his last theatrical triumphs. While classical tragedy persisted into the 18th century, Voltaire's work, like his other plays, shifted the focus from terror to pathos. His tragedies aimed to teach virtue and humanity, often through the spectacle of intolerance or avoidable chance rather than fatalistic character flaws. Tancrède was staged with elaborate sets and featured the actor Lekain in the title role. Despite its success, Voltaire's later tragedies became overly philosophical and less successful, as theatrical tastes moved towards Romantic drama.12