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About this quote

What does it mean?
A tragic story need not be plausible; artistic effect can outweigh realism.
In plain terms
A tragedy need not be believable.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize emotional impact over strict realism.

Where it applies

  • playwriting
  • novel writing
  • film directing

Putting it to work

  • focus on emotional truth
  • use symbolic elements

Questions to consider

  • When is plausibility essential?
  • How does disbelief affect emotional response?

Another view

Audiences may reject stories that feel too unrealistic.

More from Pierre Corneille

  1. Je ne dois qu'a moi seul toute ma renommee.

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  2. Devine, si tu peux, et choisis, si tu l'oses.

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  3. La raison et l'amour sont ennemis jures.

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