Athaliah: A Tragedy / Intended for Reading Only, Translated Into English Blank Verse, From Racine (A. Gombert's Edition, 1825)

Name: Athaliah: A Tragedy / Intended for Reading Only, Translated Into English Blank Verse, From Racine (A. Gombert's Edition, 1825)
Author: J. Donkersley

By J. Donkersley

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About This Book

The play dramatizes the rise and fall of a ruling queen whose violent seizure of power and devotion to foreign worship are challenged by dreams and omens foretelling a surviving heir. Priests, Levites, and courtiers debate mercy and expedience while secret loyalties protect the hidden child; ritual scenes, prophetic confrontations, and a chorus of temple functionaries punctuate the action. Themes include the conflict between idolatry and covenant faith, the authority of divine signs versus political force, and the tragic consequences of paranoia and vengeance, all rendered in formal blank verse adapted from a French classical tragedy.

About the Author

J. Donkersley

J. Donkersley is recognized for his translation of Racine's classic tragedy, "Athaliah: A Tragedy / Intended for Reading Only, Translated Into English Blank Verse, From Racine (A. Gombert's Edition, 1825)." This work showcases Donkersley's ability to render French dramatic literature into English blank verse, making it accessible to a broader audience. While little is known about his life and other contributions, his translation reflects a commitment to preserving the emotional depth and poetic structure of Racine's original text. Donkersley's work remains a notable example of early 19th-century literary translation.