Louis XIV was five years old when he assumed the throne in 1643, but  Cardinal Mazarin had real power.

Entertainments identify France with person of the King

Racine became the playwright most associated with Neoclassic tragedy

Neoclassic Doctrine demanded the following of plays

             A. verisimilitude—must be true to life

             B. morality, decorum—must be moral, must display decorum

             C. universality—must have universal appeal

             D. education---to teach and to please.