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A cornelian choice
A dilemma, an extremely difficult choice
A choice that pits reason against feelings, or honor against the latter
Those who have been through school know that “Cornelian” is an adjective derived from Corneille. Not the bird (which is said to be very intelligent), but Pierre Corneille, the 17th-century playwright, author of well-known plays such as “L’Illusion comique,” “Horace,” or “Le Cid,” for example.
And if difficult choices have become Cornelian dilemmas (thanks to Voltaire in 1764, though the term “Corneillian” was used before), it is because Corneille liked to impose them on his heroes.
Thus, in Horace, for example, the latter must imperatively fight Curiace, each to defend his city, while the former is married to the latter’s sister, who is engaged to the former’s sister, an inextricable situation in which everyone has something to lose, even if victorious.
And in The Cid, Chimène, daughter of Don Gomez, is in love with Rodrigue, son of Don Diego de la Vega, Don Diègue.
Despite his love for Chimène, Rodrigue must, in order to avenge his father who was humiliated by his fiancée’s father, fight the latter in a duel in which he kills him.
And Chimene, despite her feelings for Rodrigue, must then demand his head from the king.
Without going into the details, everything will end well, since after a few twists and turns, Rodrigue will marry Chimene.
These situations, in which it is extremely difficult to choose between what feelings urge one to do and what honor or reason demands, are typical of Corneille’s writings and were sufficient, at the time, to give rise to the adjective “Cornelian.”
On the occasion of the 2001 municipal elections, Jospin became more insistent and instructed his ministers who were running for mayor to choose between their government positions and their mayoral sash in the event of victory. Most of those concerned were defeated, so they were spared this cornelian choice.
Le Figaro – Article dated August 31, 2009
Marylena