About this book
Théodore de Banville’s Socrate et sa femme arrives as a sparkling, witty one-act comedy that fuses classical philosophy with 19th-century French theatrical charm. Written in Banville’s elegant, poetic voice, the play stages a humorous encounter between a celebrated philosopher and his domestic life, turning debates about reason, irony, and human foibles into theatrical gold.
Set against the vibrant Parisian stage tradition and first presented at the Comédie-Française in 1885, this comic piece reflects Banville’s mastery of verse and his taste for refined satire. The text revels in crisp dialogue, ironic reversals, and a light, lyrical touch that both honors classical figures and deflates their pretensions. Rather than a historical treatise, the work is a character-driven comedy that explores public reputation versus private reality, the performative side of wisdom, and the tender antagonisms of married life—always with a poet’s ear for rhythm and a humorist’s eye for human contradiction.
Ideal for listeners who love classic French comedy and literary drama, Socrate et sa femme is perfect for fans of verse plays, theater lovers, and anyone who appreciates smart, character-led humor performed with poetic finesse.
