Mérope - Voltaire

Summary

Voltaire's "Mérope" is a classical French tragedy set in ancient Messenia. The play centers on Mérope, the widowed queen, whose husband Cresphontes was murdered and whose infant son, Égisthe, was presumed killed with him. Polyphonte, a tyrant, has usurped the throne and demands Mérope's hand in marriage to legitimize his rule, which she vehemently refuses. A young, unknown warrior arrives, celebrated for killing a giant but also revealing he killed another young man in self-defense, a description that matches Mérope's lost son. Believing this stranger to be her son's murderer, Mérope vows revenge. However, an old loyal servant, Narbas, reveals that the stranger is, in fact, Égisthe, her long-lost son, and the young man he killed was Polyphonte's son, Aphemus. Polyphonte, furious, condemns Égisthe to death. Mérope must then fight against the tyrant for her son's life. In a desperate act, Mérope agrees to marry Polyphonte if he spares Égisthe. During the wedding ceremony, Égisthe, guided by Narbas, seizes the sacrificial axe and kills Polyphonte, avenging his father and freeing his mother and kingdom from tyranny. Égisthe is then proclaimed the rightful king.

Book Sections

Section 1

The play opens in Messenia, years after the murder of King Cresphontes and his family. The queen, Mérope, is in deep mourning for her husband and her infant son, Égisthe, who she believes was killed alongside his father. She has spent the intervening years refusing to marry Polyphonte, the tyrant who usurped the throne after Cresphontes' death. Polyphonte is determined to marry Mérope, believing it will solidify his illegitimate claim to the kingdom. He presses his suit, arguing that it is for the good of Messenia to have a stable succession. Mérope vehemently rejects him, her heart filled with grief and an unwavering loyalty to her dead husband and son. She reaffirms her belief that her son would one day return to avenge his father, even though everyone else considers him dead. Isménie, Mérope's confidante, tries to reason with her, suggesting that some form of compromise might be necessary for survival, but Mérope remains resolute in her sorrow and hatred for Polyphonte. Polyphonte, through his minister Eumène, expresses his frustration and growing impatience, hinting at darker measures if Mérope continues to defy him.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Mérope	Queen of Messenia, grieving widow, protective mother (of a presumed dead son), resolute, morally upright.	Mourn her husband and (presumed) dead son; protect her kingdom's honor; resist Polyphonte's tyranny; preserve the memory of her rightful lineage.
Polyphonte	Tyrant of Messenia, ambitious, ruthless, power-hungry, manipulative.	Consolidate his illegitimate power by marrying Mérope; secure the throne; eliminate any threats to his rule.
Égisthe	Young, brave, noble, unaware of his true identity (appears later).	Return to his homeland; prove his worth; unknowingly seek to avenge his unknown father; escape persecution.
Narbas	Old, loyal servant, wise, devoted to the royal family, guardian of Égisthe (appears later).	Protect Égisthe; reveal his true identity at the right moment; restore the rightful king to the throne.
Isménie	Mérope's loyal confidante, pragmatic, concerned for Mérope's safety.	Support and advise Mérope; ensure her survival and well-being.
Eumène	Polyphonte's minister and confidant, obedient, pragmatic.	Serve Polyphonte; maintain order and stability in the kingdom.

Section 2

News arrives that a heroic young stranger has killed a monstrous giant that was terrorizing Messenia. This act makes him a celebrated figure, but his story takes a dark turn. The young man recounts how, on his journey, he encountered another young man who attacked him, forcing him to kill in self-defense. The description of this victim—royal attire, age—horrifyingly matches that of Mérope's lost son, Égisthe. Mérope, already consumed by grief and a thirst for justice, immediately believes this stranger to be the murderer of her son. Her earlier longing for Égisthe's return transforms into a burning desire for vengeance against the man she believes took his life. The young hero, unaware of the queen's connection to his victim, remains calm and explains his actions as a necessary defense. Polyphonte, hearing of the death of a young man, initially sees it as a further removal of any potential rival to the throne, but soon learns more details that will complicate his perception.

Section 3

Mérope is consumed by a thirst for revenge. She prepares to personally execute the young stranger, who is now imprisoned, for what she believes is the murder of Égisthe. She is prevented from doing so by the sudden arrival of Narbas, an old man who has been a loyal servant to the royal family. Narbas recognizes the young stranger and, in a dramatic revelation, informs Mérope that the stranger is, in fact, Égisthe, her own son, whom he secretly saved and raised in Etolia. Narbas explains that Égisthe was indeed attacked on the road, but the person he killed was not Mérope's son, but Aphemus, the son of Polyphonte, who had set upon Égisthe. Mérope is overwhelmed with joy and horror: joy at finding her son alive, and horror at having nearly killed him. Polyphonte, meanwhile, has also learned of his son Aphemus's death at the hands of this stranger. Enraged, he condemns Égisthe to death, seeing him not only as his son's killer but also as a potential rival to the throne, as Égisthe's true identity becomes apparent.

Section 4

Mérope is now caught in a terrible dilemma. She has her son back, but he is condemned to die by Polyphonte, who believes him to be merely a murderer. Mérope reveals Égisthe's true identity to Polyphonte, hoping that the knowledge of his royal lineage might save him. However, Polyphonte sees this revelation as an even greater threat, realizing that Égisthe is the rightful heir to the throne. He remains unyielding in his demand for Égisthe's execution. Mérope pleads, threatens, and attempts to reason with the tyrant, but to no avail. Desperate to save her son, Mérope ultimately agrees to marry Polyphonte, offering her hand in exchange for Égisthe's life. She makes it a condition that Égisthe be spared and allowed to leave Messenia. This is a profound sacrifice for Mérope, forcing her to betray the memory of her husband and endure a union with the man she despises, all to save her only child.

Section 5

The wedding ceremony between Mérope and Polyphonte is prepared at the altar. Mérope, heartbroken but resolute in her sacrifice, is determined to go through with it to ensure her son's safety. Égisthe, having been told of his mother's sacrifice, is torn between his gratitude for his life and his horror at his mother's impending marriage to his father's murderer. Narbas, however, has a different plan. He advises Égisthe to be prepared for an act of divine justice. As Polyphonte stands at the altar, ready to marry Mérope, Égisthe seizes the sacrificial axe meant for the religious rites. In a swift and decisive moment, he strikes down Polyphonte, avenging his father, freeing his mother from a forced marriage, and liberating Messenia from tyranny. The people, witnessing this act, recognize Égisthe as the rightful king, heir to Cresphontes, and hail him. Justice is finally served, and the rightful order is restored to Messenia.

Literary Genre

Classical French Tragedy

Author Facts

Voltaire (born François-Marie Arouet, 1694–1778) was a prominent figure of the French Enlightenment. He was a prolific writer, philosopher, historian, and playwright, known for his wit, his advocacy of civil liberties, freedom of religion, and free trade, and his critiques of the Catholic Church and the French monarchy. He wrote numerous works across various genres, including plays, poems, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. "Mérope" is one of his most successful tragedies, showcasing his mastery of classical dramatic form.

Moral

The central moral of "Mérope" is that justice, though often delayed and requiring immense sacrifice, ultimately triumphs over tyranny and deceit. It emphasizes the power of familial love and loyalty, particularly the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child. The play also suggests that blind vengeance can be dangerous, as seen in Mérope's initial desire to kill Égisthe, and that truth and revelation are essential for true justice to be achieved. Rightful heirs and legitimate rule will eventually prevail over usurpers.

Curiosities

• "Mérope" was first performed in 1743 and was a significant success for Voltaire, helping to solidify his reputation as a master of tragic drama.
• The play is an adaptation of an ancient Greek legend, also treated by the Italian playwright Scipione Maffei in his popular tragedy "Merope" (1713). Voltaire greatly admired Maffei's work but believed he could improve upon it, particularly in the ending.
• Voltaire introduced key changes, such as Mérope's decision to marry Polyphonte as a desperate sacrifice, which was not present in Maffei's version. This heightened the dramatic tension and Mérope's heroic suffering.
• The scene where Mérope, believing the stranger to be her son's murderer, is about to kill him, only to be stopped by Narbas revealing his true identity (Act III), is considered one of the most powerful and moving moments in classical French theater.
• The play adheres strictly to the three classical unities of time, place, and action, characteristic of French tragedy.