Horace – Pierre Corneille par Pierre Corneille

"Do what you must, come what may."

Rome is at war with Alba. To decide the conflict, three Roman brothers (the Horatii) are chosen to fight three Alban brothers (the Curiatii). The tragedy is that the families are united by marriage: Horace is married to a Curiatius sister, and his sister Camilla is engaged to a Curiatius. Horace puts patriotism above all, killing his brothers-in-law and even his sister when she mourns the enemy.

Corneille's play is a stark examination of patriotism and fanaticism. It asks whether the state has the right to demand the sacrifice of all human feeling, presenting a hero whose virtue is terrifying.