« Est-ce un malheur si grand que de cesser de vivre ? » Le spectacle du suicide dans la tragédie racinienne

The representation of death (especially when it results from suicide) jeopardizes the rules of classic theater. Three main obstacles (bienséance, vraisemblance and morality) prevent from staging the contemplation of death. Racine, known for his allegiance to the rules, surprisingly ends Bajazet, Mithridate and Phèdre by a suicide that terrifies the audience. This article aims at exploring the poetic, aesthetic and dramaturgic aspects of these suicides to better understand the emotion of the public.