Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

French poet and critic. Born in Paris. Studied theology and law, but when he lost his father at the age of 21 and inherited an inheritance, he decided to pursue literature, which he believed was his calling. At the age of 30, he published Satires (1-7), which was later expanded to 12, criticizing the customs of Parisians and slamming the popular writer of the time, Quinault, and became famous. He also pioneered the genre of criticism with Epistles (1-12) (1670-95). He also wrote the humorous epic poem The Music Stand (1674-83), but his most important work in the history of literary criticism is Art poétique (1674). With his sharp critical eye, he compiled the theory of classical literature based on the masterpieces of great writers who were also his friends, Molière, La Fontaine, and Racine. His view of literature was based on reason, and in "The Acts of Poesy" he sang "love reason," and considered that which satisfies the desire of reason to be beautiful. He also advocated accurately portraying the "truth" found in nature (humanity), and said that in order to be loved by readers, one should follow the excellent examples of antiquity. In the "Controversy between the Old and the New," he represented the ancient school. "The Acts of Poesy" was considered the holy scripture of literature until the time of the Great Revolution, and had a great influence. He was a member of the Academic Academy.

[Hiroshi Ito]

"Boileau's Poetics, translated by Takuzo Obase (included in the World Great Thought Collection, Volume 21, 1958, Kawade Shobo Shinsha)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

フランスの詩人、批評家。パリに生まれる。神学と法律を学ぶが、21歳で父を失い遺産を相続すると、天職と信じていた文学を志す。30歳のとき、パリ人の風習を批判したり、当時の流行作家キノーをこきおろしたりした『風刺詩1～7』Satires（のちに増補されて12編）を発表して有名になる。また『書簡詩1～12』Épîtres（1670～95）によって批評のジャンルを開拓した。ほかに滑稽(こっけい)叙事詩『譜面台』（1674～83）もあるが、文学批評史上重要なのは『詩法』Art poétique（1674）である。鋭い批評眼を有していた彼は、このなかでモリエール、ラ・フォンテーヌ、ラシーヌという彼の友人でもある偉大な作家たちの傑作を基に、古典主義文学の理論を集大成した。彼の文学観の根底にあるのは理性で、『詩法』でも「理性を愛せ」と歌い、理性の欲求を満たすものを美とみなした。また、自然（人間性）のなかにある「真実らしさ」を正確に写すことを説き、読者に好まれるためには古代の優れた手本に従うべきであるとした。「新旧論争」では古代派の代表だった。『詩法』は大革命のころまで文学の聖典とされ、大きな影響を与えた。アカデミー会員。

［伊藤　洋］

『小場瀬卓三訳『ボワロー　詩法』（『世界大思想全集　第21巻』所収・1958・河出書房新社）』

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