Writing from prison to her pere in 1793, she quoted the dramatist Corneille “crime makes the shame, and not the scaffold”

On the January 27, 2026, episode of Jeopardy!, the Final Jeopardy category was European History, and it featured a quote from a notable letter written during the turbulent years of the French Revolution. The clue offered a striking quote attributed to a woman who would become one of the most recognized female figures of the era, referencing a classical dramatist to defend her actions. The line, “crime makes the shame, and not the scaffold,” revealed both the resolve and ideological conviction of the writer, who was awaiting execution for an act that shook the revolutionary government.

Who is Charlotte Corday?

Charlotte Corday is remembered in history for the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat, a radical journalist and key figure in the Jacobin faction during the French Revolution. Born Marie-Anne Charlotte de Corday d’Armont in 1768 in Normandy, she came from minor aristocracy and was raised in a convent, where she developed a strong interest in classical literature and Enlightenment philosophy. Over time, she became increasingly critical of the violent turn the Revolution had taken under the Jacobins.

On July 13, 1793, Corday assassinated Marat in his bathtub, believing that removing him would help restore peace and end the Reign of Terror. She was arrested immediately and, after a swift trial, was sentenced to death by guillotine. Her actions made her both a controversial figure and a symbol, depending on political perspective—either as a murderer or a martyr for the Girondin cause.

The Letter and the Quotation

The Final Jeopardy clue references a letter Charlotte Corday wrote to her father from prison shortly before her execution. In this letter, she attempted to explain and justify her actions, drawing upon classical references to express her reasoning. The quote cited—“le crime fait la honte, et non pas l’échafaud”—comes from the 17th-century French playwright Pierre Corneille, known for tragedies that grappled with duty, honor, and moral conflict.

By quoting Corneille, Corday framed her act of assassination as morally just, regardless of the punishment that awaited her. For Corday, the shame lay not in dying on the scaffold but in committing a crime without purpose. She believed she had acted for the greater good, not for personal gain or vengeance, and thus saw no dishonor in the fate she faced.

Historical Context and Impact

Corday’s assassination of Marat occurred during one of the most volatile phases of the French Revolution. The Jacobins had gained control of the revolutionary government and were overseeing widespread purges and executions of those seen as enemies of the Republic. Marat, as a powerful voice of radicalism, had called for mass executions and was seen by Girondin sympathizers like Corday as a threat to stability and justice.

Her act did not have the effect she intended. Rather than halting the Terror, Marat’s murder fueled it. The Jacobins used his death as a rallying point, turning him into a revolutionary martyr and further justifying the suppression of political opponents. Corday’s swift trial and execution were emblematic of the increasingly draconian measures of the Revolutionary Tribunal.

Legacy and Interpretation

Charlotte Corday’s legacy remains a subject of debate among historians. Some view her as a misguided zealot, while others interpret her actions as those of a principled individual who believed she was sacrificing herself for the good of France. Her calm demeanor during her trial and execution impressed many contemporaries and has fascinated generations since.

The quotation used in the clue highlights the philosophical dimension of Corday’s act. Her invocation of Corneille was not just a literary flourish but a deliberate attempt to place herself within a tradition of tragic heroism. In her mind, the scaffold did not mark disgrace, but rather, the conclusion of a just action taken in defense of her ideals.

Final Thoughts

The January 27 clue challenged contestants not only to recall a historical figure but also to interpret a layered quote steeped in Revolutionary-era political and literary references. “Who is Charlotte Corday?” was the correct response, anchoring a moment in history where ideology, literature, and personal conviction collided in dramatic fashion. Corday’s story continues to resonate as a reminder of the power—and the peril—of political idealism.