Ronsard and the ambiguity of the Hymnes (1555–1556)

This article offers a rereading of Ronsard’s “Hercule chrestien” in the context of his humanist influences (a typological analysis of the hymn in the light of both patristic and modern sources). This is complemented by a parallel analysis of the “Hercules chrestien” and of the “Hymne de Bacus,” which appeared in Les Meslanges. The aim is to demonstrate the complementarity of these two well-known poems, whose syncretism was perceived as an attempt by Ronsard to respond to his critics.