Margaux Caquant

Please tell us about your research project.
I am currently in the third year of my PhD in French Literature at the Université Lyon 3 Jean Moulin, supervised by Pr. François Jacob. My PhD is entitled « Marie-Joseph Chénier et la scène révolutionnaire ». Through the example of Marie-Joseph Chénier’s dramatic works, my PhD examines the history of theatre and, more specifically, of staging during the revolutionary period. Therefore, my thesis’s focus is also on key figures of the French Revolution, such as  Danton, Robespierre, and Napoléon, and key figures of Revolutionary art, such as Jacques-Louis David and François Joseph Talma. I am particularly interested in the physical conditions of the stage, especially as provided by the Comédie-Française, which are unmissable to understand the evolution of dramatic performances at this moment. Hence, my work draws on different disciplines, including history, literature and the performing arts.
 

Could you please tell us a bit more about your scholarship/exchange programme?
I’ve been awarded a monthly scholarship to come to Oxford and have access to the Bodleian Library (especially the Taylor Institution Library) and the Voltaire Foundation’s archives. Since Marie-Joseph Chénier proclaims himself the heir of Voltaire, and since all the theatre of that period is influenced by Voltaire, I need to consult Voltaire’s manuscripts and examine the writing trends and practices of the 18th Century. It is also a chance to familiarise myself with the working methods and scholarly activities of the Oxford-based Voltaire specialists and meet some professors in this field.
 

First impressions of Oxford/the University?Oxford is the place to be as a student, especially as a Literature PhD student, thanks to its wealth of libraries, bookshops, and the lingering presence of so many celebrated writers. The academic atmosphere created by its beautiful colleges inspires you to study even more and broaden your interests. You quickly realise that life in Oxford leaves no room for boredom, only for constant wonder at everything there is to see, hear, and learn.