Abstract

In the two prefaces to Andromaque, Racine's model is taken from the encounter between Enea and Andromaca in Eneide book III. From Euripides 'Andromaque he only takes the jelousy of Hermione. Seneca is only cited in the old preface. This information is precious but not exhaustive: Racine's the great knowledge of classics perfectly blends together and incorporates a number of details which confer an innovative perspective to the traditional Andromaca. The character of Pyrrhus' is revisited as he proffers some lines spoken by Agamemnon in Seneca's Troades. Moreover Racine retains a genuine tragic dimension from Seneca and the Greek tragedians, as shown in Orestes passion "aveuglement" and in the way he faces his destiny.