Edmond Rostand, the genius behind Cyrano de Bergerac, turns his poetic brilliance to a different kind of hero in L'Aiglon. Written entirely in verse, this six-act play is a stunning piece of theater that feels more like an epic poem brought to life.

The Story

The year is 1830. The Duke of Reichstadt, Napoleon Bonaparte's only legitimate son, lives in comfortable but stifling exile at the Austrian court. Nicknamed 'L'Aiglon' (The Eaglet), he's a prisoner of his own bloodline. While plotters try to use him as a pawn to restart his father's empire, the young duke is torn. He's haunted by dreams of military glory but crushed by the reality of his frail health and political powerlessness. The play follows his intense inner struggle between the destiny forced upon him and the simple desire to be his own man.

Why You Should Read It

Forget dry history. Rostand makes you feel the weight of history on one young man's shoulders. The Duke isn't a conquering hero; he's sensitive, poetic, and tragically aware of the myth he can't live up to. The verse isn't stuffy—it's passionate and full of fire, especially in the duke's famous soliloquies about his father's ghost. It’s a powerful story about the universal ache of not measuring up to expectations, whether you're the son of an emperor or anyone else.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for lovers of poetic language, French history, or anyone who enjoys a deeply psychological character study. It’s for readers who don't mind a play's format and appreciate the raw emotion that only great verse can deliver. If you were moved by the wit of Cyrano, be prepared for a more melancholy, but just as beautiful, experience here.