Writing from prison to her pere in 1793, she quoted the dramatist Corneille “crime makes the shame, and not the scaffold”
In the Final Jeopardy! round for Tuesday, January 27, 2026, contestants were challenged with a clue rooted in revolutionary France, placed in the category European History. The clue referenced a letter from prison written in 1793 by a young woman who, quoting the playwright Corneille, wrote: “crime makes the shame, and not the scaffold.” The historical figure in question took a radical and violent action that would make her name infamous during the French Revolution.
Who is Charlotte Corday?
The correct response is “Who is Charlotte Corday?” Corday is remembered for her dramatic role during the French Revolution, particularly for the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat, a radical journalist and influential figure of the Jacobin movement. Corday, a supporter of the more moderate Girondins, believed Marat’s rhetoric and influence were responsible for the violence and instability engulfing France, including the Reign of Terror.
On July 13, 1793, Corday visited Marat at his home under the pretense of providing him with a list of political enemies. There, she fatally stabbed him while he was in his bath—a moment immortalized in Jacques-Louis David’s famous painting The Death of Marat. Her calculated act of political violence shocked the public and led to her swift arrest and trial. Though she claimed sole responsibility and expressed no remorse, she was guillotined four days later.
Context of the Quote
The quote Corday used in her letter—“le crime fait la honte, et non pas l’échafaud” (translated as “crime makes the shame, and not the scaffold”)—is from the 17th-century French dramatist Pierre Corneille. By invoking this line while in prison, Corday sought to justify her actions morally and intellectually. She framed her assassination of Marat not as a shameful murder but as a necessary act of resistance against tyranny.
This line was more than poetic flourish; it served to portray her impending execution as a noble sacrifice rather than a punishment. Corday viewed herself as a defender of republican virtue, acting in accordance with conscience and classical notions of justice. Her use of Corneille aligned her with the ideals of tragic heroism and stoicism, popular motifs among revolutionaries of the era.
Charlotte Corday’s Legacy
Corday’s actions and subsequent execution made her a controversial symbol in French history. Some contemporaries admired her bravery and saw her as a martyr for liberty, while others condemned her as a misguided fanatic. Over time, her story has been retold in literature, art, and political thought, with interpretations ranging from heroic to tragic to cautionary.
Her letter, including the Corneille quote, has been cited frequently in historical analyses of the Revolution and the role of women within it. Corday remains one of the most recognizable female figures of the era, notable for the way she used both intellect and violence to attempt to shape the course of political events.
The Broader Historical Setting
The year 1793 was a turning point in the French Revolution. The execution of King Louis XVI earlier that year had intensified divisions among revolutionary factions. The radical Jacobins, led by figures like Marat, Robespierre, and Danton, were consolidating power and pushing the Revolution toward increasing violence. The moderate Girondins were being purged from positions of influence, and the guillotine became a frequent fixture in Paris.
Charlotte Corday’s assassination of Marat was not only a personal act of resistance but also a political flashpoint. It underscored the deep ideological fractures within revolutionary France and illustrated how far individuals were willing to go—whether through speeches, legislation, or murder—in the name of liberty and justice.
Conclusion
The Final Jeopardy! clue for January 27 highlighted a dramatic moment in European history through the lens of personal conviction, classical literature, and political turmoil. Charlotte Corday’s letter from prison, quoting Corneille, reveals how she wished to be remembered—not as a criminal, but as a principled revolutionary. Her story continues to provoke discussion on morality, justice, and the personal cost of political violence.