Charles Perrault
Charles Perrault
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Charles Perrault was a French author, poet, and member of the Académie française. He is often referred to as "Monseigneur" Perrault, reflecting his prestigious position within French society.
Birth and Death Dates
Charles Perrault was born on January 12, 1628, in Paris, France. He passed away on May 16, 1703, at the age of seventy-five.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Perrault's nationality is undisputedly French, as he spent his entire life within the country's borders. Throughout his career, Perrault distinguished himself as a poet, author, and member of the Académie française, which further solidified his reputation in the literary world.
Early Life and Background
Born to Antoine Perrault and Nicole Marguerite Levasseur, Charles was one of five children raised within an educated household. His family valued literature and the arts, providing him with a strong foundation for future success. Perrault's education began at the Collège d'Harcourt in Paris before moving on to study law at the University of Orléans.
Early Career
Perrault's professional life started as a lawyer; however, he eventually transitioned into literature after meeting with notable writers and thinkers of his time, including Jean Racine. This shift marked the beginning of an illustrious career in which Perrault would become one of the most celebrated authors in French history.
Major Accomplishments
Perrault's literary accomplishments are numerous and diverse:
Founding Member of the Académie française: In 1683, Perrault was elected as a founding member of the prestigious institution. He contributed to its development through his work on dictionaries, grammar books, and other publications.
Author of Fairy Tales: Charles Perrault is most famous for writing classic fairy tales such as _Cinderella_, _Sleeping Beauty_, and _Puss in Boots_. These stories continue to enchant readers worldwide with their timeless themes and captivating characters.
Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works by Charles Perrault include:
Le Petit Chaperon Rouge (Little Red Riding Hood): A well-known fairy tale featuring a brave young girl who outsmarts the Big Bad Wolf.
Histoires ou Contes du Temps Passé (Tales and Stories of the Past Time): This collection of stories showcases Perrault's skill in weaving engaging narratives that transcend generations.
Impact and Legacy
Perrault's influence on literature is profound. His fairy tales have been translated into countless languages, captivating readers across cultures with their universal themes of love, friendship, and perseverance. He has inspired numerous adaptations in film, theater, and ballet, cementing his place within the global cultural landscape.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Charles Perrault's enduring legacy is a testament to his skill as a writer and his ability to craft stories that resonate with readers of all ages. His fairy tales have become an integral part of shared human experience, providing timeless lessons on courage, kindness, and the power of imagination.
Through this biography, we can appreciate Charles Perrault's rich life, notable accomplishments, and lasting impact on literature.
Quotes by Charles Perrault
Her godmother, who was a fairy, said, “You would like to go to the ball, is that not so?
The King’s son, who was told that a great princess, whom nobody knew, was come, ran out to receive her. He gave her his hand as she alighted from the coach, and led her into the hall where the company were assembled.
The next day the two sisters went to the ball, and so did Cinderella, but dressed more magnificently than before. The King’s son was always by her side, and his pretty speeches to her never ceased.
However, Cinderella, in spite of her mean apparel, was a hundred times more handsome than her sisters, though they were always richly dressed.
This good woman made for her a little red riding-hood, which became the girl so well that everybody called her Little Red Riding-hood.
To wait so long/And want a man refined and strong/Is not at all uncommon. And yet to wait one hundred years/Without a tear, without a care/Makes for a very rare woman. So here our tale appears to show/How marriage deferred/Brings joy unheard/Nothing lost after a century or so. But others love with more ardor/And wed quickly out of passion/Whatever they do/I won’t deplore/Nor shall I preach a lesson.
The next day the two sisters went to the ball, and so did Cinderella, but dressed more magnificently than before. The King's son was always by her side, and his pretty speeches to her never ceased.
Monsieur Puss came at last to a stately castle, the master of which was an Ogre, the richest ever known; for all the lands which the King had then passed through belonged to this castle.