En amont et en aval de Yourcenar: Saint Jean de la Croix et Valeria Parrella, ou de la différence entre sillage et pillage»

The article investigates Yourcenar’s attitude towards erudition. In the first part it is argued that she was indebted to the Spanish mystic John of the Cross, although she never mentioned him in her works. The second part focuses on her resemantization of Clytemnestra’ myth and the way in which she radically re-writes the character with the intent to make the reader reflect upon man-woman relationship, conjugal fidelity and the values on which rights are founded. Hence, the Italian author of Clytemnestre ou le crime deeply transforms Yourcenar’s hint at a social law that should never overlook the role played by passion in a mere reversion to the primitive law of blood.