Britannicus
- Dates
- Nov 28 â Nov 30, 1958
- Performances
- 4
About
Britannicus is a five-act tragic play by the French dramatist Jean Racine. It was first performed on 13 December 1669 at the HĂ´tel de Bourgogne in Paris. Britannicus is the first play in which Racine depicted Roman history. The tale of moral choice takes as its subject Britannicus, the son of the Roman emperor Claudius, and heir to the imperial throne. Britannicus' succession to the throne is however usurped by Lucius, later known as Nero, and the son of Claudius' wife Agrippina the Younger. Racine portrays Nero's true nature as revealed by his sudden desire for Britannicus's fiancĂŠe Junia. He wrests himself free from his mother's domination and plots to assassinate his adoptive brother. Nero is driven less by fear of being overthrown by Britannicus than by competition in love. His desire ...