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''Britannicus'' is a 5-act tragic play by the French dramatist Jean Racine. It was first performed on 13 December 1669 at the Hôtel de Bourgogne in Paris.〔Joseph E. Garreau, "Jean Racine" in Hochman 1984, p. 194.〕 ''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 fiancée 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 for Junia manifests itself in sadism towards the young woman and all that she loves. Agrippina is portrayed as a possessive mother who will not accept the loss of control over both her son and the Empire. Despite giving his name to the play, the character of Britannicus is more minor than those of Agrippina and Nero. Success only came to the play slowly, but of Racine's works, ''Britannicus'' is today second only to ''Andromaque'' amongst the repertory of the Comédie-Française, and is frequently studied in high school. A modern translation-adaptation of the play has been published and premiered by the American playwright Howard Rubenstein.〔''Britannicus:'' A play in two acts, adapted from Jean Racine’s Britannicus, Granite Hills Press, 2009. ISBN 978-1-929468-14-0〕 ==Roles== Role names and descriptions are from the first edition.〔("Acteurs" ), ''Britannicus'', 1670.〕 * Nero, ''Emperor, son of Agrippine'' * Britannicus, ''son of the Emperor Claudius'' * Agrippine, ''widow of Domitius Enobarbus father of Nero, & from second marriage, widow of Emperor Claudius'' * Junie, ''beloved of Britannicus'' * Burrhus, ''governor of Nero'' * Narcisse, ''governor of Britannicus'' * Albine, ''confidante of Agrippine'' * Guards 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Britannicus (play)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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