Surena by Pierre Corneille. Short summary

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The sad story of the unhappy love of the Armenian princess Eurydice and the Parthian warlord Surena, who were promised to another but could not come to terms with their lost love.

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The action of the play takes place in Seleucia, around 50 B.C. Orode is king of the Parthians and father of Princess Mandana. The glorious general Suren helped Orode defeat Cras and establish himself on the throne. Eurydice is the daughter of Artabas, king of Armenia.

The play begins with Eurydice weeping as she is forced to marry Pakor, though she secretly loves Suren. The commander shares her love, but must marry Mandana. The lovers realize that their union is impossible.

Eurydice communicates very coldly with her fiancé. Pacor realizes that Eurydice does not love him and tries to find out who his rival is. Surena, on the other hand, politely rebuffs Mandana. Orode fears for his power, so he decides to get rid of the warlord since he has failed to marry him to his daughter. Palmis, Surena’s sister, senses danger and tries to persuade her brother and Eurydice to be prudent.

In the finale, Surena is sent into exile, where he is killed. Eurydice also dies.