Histoire et littérature au siècle de Montaigne: mélanges offerts à Claude-Gilbert Dubois ed. by Françoise Argo-Dutard (review)

Abstract

1048 Reviews Histoire et litteratureau siecle de Montaigne: melanges offerts a Claude-Gilbert Dubois. Ed. by Francoise Argo-Dutard. (Cahiers d'Humanisme et Renaissance, 60) Geneva: Droz. 2001. 409 pp. ?43.91; SwF 61.45. ISBN 2-600-00643-5. It is fittingthat this collection of articles to mark Claude-Gilbert Dubois's retirement should appear under the dual banner of literature and history, for much of Dubois's own work concentrated on this field, well before interdisciplinary studies acquired their current prominence. His eminent career is traced in the preface by Anne-Marie Cocula, and the bibliography of his published works is positively awesome?well over 200 items! Ofthe twenty-seven contributions to the present volume, most are by lead? ing French seiziemistes, with six pieces by American, British, Canadian, and Italian scholars. The firstthematic section, headed 'Ecritures de l'histoire', focuses primarily on the recording of history, whether by 'professional' historians (Rene de Lucinge), memorialistes (Charlotte de Mornay), polemicists (Henri Estienne, D'Aubigne), or the grands rhetoriqueurs. The firsttwo papers offerfine analyses of the authors' his? toriographical methods. Lestringant shows Lucinge's account balanced between his respect for historical truth and the duty he owed o the providentialist vision of the house of Savoy. Boudou compares the gorier recits in the Apologie pour Herodote with parallel accounts in canards, concluding that Estienne's treatment is far more sober, in conformity with his avowed aim of objectivity. Several other contributions in the section allow us to (re)discover fascinating minor works. In the only treatment of theatre, de Buzon argues convincingly that Jean de Beaubrueil's Regulus tragedie of 1582 (notable for the extensive use of a chorus) is a celebration of the virtues of fortitude and patriotism. Legrand underlines another Stoic theme, constancy, which underpins Scevole de Sainte-Marthe'seulogy of Michel de l'Hopital, while also draw? ing our attention to Sainte-Marthe's praise ofthe humanist's achievements as a poet. The second section, appropriately for a volume dedicated to the first'Directeur du Centre Montaigne' at Bordeaux III, contains six 'Lectures de Montaigne'. Some rework familiar territory,sharing new insights: Montaigne's philosophy on death, his health, his journeys in Italy, the relationship between language and customs, and his perception of the Turks. One paper is potentially ground-breaking: with laudable caution, Catherine Magnien examines evidence indicating that Montaigne may have begun?but then abandoned?a history of Henri III's election to the Polish throne. Finally, we have an attractive pot-pourri of eleven chapters on ' Human isme et creation artistique', which ranges from discussions of chivalry, medicine, and feminism to architecture and music, with a generous place forpoetry. Two pieces will strike immediate chords with Dubois: Jourde's discussion ofthe relationship between visual and aural perceptions of French sonnets in the 1550s, entitled 'L'imaginaire et l'histoire: sur la situation du sonnet en France vers 1550', and Dauphine's lucid presentation of Du Bartas's La Magnificence. Oxford Brookes University Valerie Worth-Stylianou Registre-Journal du regne de Henri III. By Pierre de L'Estoile. Vol. vi: {15881589 ). Ed. by Madeleine Lazard and Gilbert Schrenck. Geneva: Droz. 2003. 349 pp. SWF65. ISBN 2-600-00850-0. This is the sixth and last volume of an edition of the Parisian chronicle of Pierre de L'Estoile which can rightfullyclaim to be definitive. It is the firstto be based on the original manuscript at the Bibliotheque nationale de France (MS fr.6678) and on the author's own revision in MS fr.nouv. acq. 6888. In addition to the excellent explanatory notes, the volume contains indexes of personal and place names, of themes, and of the occasional pieces or ramas in all six volumes. The chronicle, a major source for ...