Cette thèse s’interroge sur la difficulté qu’on rencontre pour définir l’œuvre de Théophile de Viau (1590-1626). Ensemble disparate sur le plan formel et esthétique, l’œuvre semble pâtir de l’émergence tardive d’un auteur que le procès en libertinage a construit, pour une large part (1623-1625). L’étude menée ici consiste à aller au rebours d’une lecture qui ferait des écrits théophiliens un ensemble dirigé vers cette création artificielle d’un auteur. En prenant appui sur la production poétique antérieure au procès (circa. 1614-1623), cette thèse tente de définir le mouvement de dispersion apparemment contradictoire d’une trajectoire sociale, entraînée par le mouvement de ses publications, et celui d’une densification de l’écriture littéraire autour de pratiques saillantes. En effet, pour envisager les procédures réelles de l’œuvre de Théophile de Viau, pour en dégager les lignes de force et les points de rupture, le présent travail prend appui sur le concept de désœuvrement. Qu’il s’agisse des origines sociales et symboliques du poète, des tensions que soulève le service de plume, ou des ambiguïtés des positionnements littéraires du poète vis-à-vis de la culture de l’imitation et de la tradition rhétorique des lieux communs, tout porte à croire que l’identité poétique de Théophile de Viau s’est construite sur un mouvement paradoxal de dégagement à autrui effectué dans les lieux mêmes de l’altérité, au cœur de l’identité du poète. / This thesis is concerned with the difficulty one encounters when trying to define the work of Theophile de Viau (1590-1626). The set of texts it consists in is heterogeneous both formally and aesthetically, and seems to suffer the late emergence of an author who was in a large part made by his trial for licentiousness. (1623-1625). My aim here is to go against the interpretation that considers theophelian writings as a unity directed towards the artificial creation of an author. By studying the poems written before the trial (around 1614-1623), this thesis aims at defining an apparently contradictory scattered social trajectory, led by the movement of his publications, as well as the densification of his literary writing around striking practices. Indeed, in order to consider the real processes at stake in Theophile de Viau’s work, in order to distinguish its lines of force and breaking points, the present study is based on the concept of désoeuvrement (deconstructing the concept of his oeuvre). Whether it be the social and symbolical origins of the poet, the tensions raised by his patronage, or the ambiguities of the literary positions of the poet regarding the culture of imitation and the rhetoric of common places, everything leads us to believe that Theophile de Viau’s poetic identity was built on a paradoxical movement of disengagement towards others carried out in the very places of otherness. Otherness is at the heart of the poet’s identity.

The thesis focused in details on libertine literary movement in 17th and 18th century and subsequently its influence in later centuries. The first part deals with the general meaning of libertine literary movement, the second part contains information about the development of libertine literary movement in the 17th century with authors Cyrano de Bergerac and Theophile de Viau. The third part concerns the development process of libertine literary movement in the 18th century, specifically through the six authors: Crébillon younger, Louvet de Couvray, Restif de la Bretonne, Boyer D'Argens, Vivan Denon and Choderlos de Laclos and four specific libertine works: Therese philosopher, No tomorrow, About education of women and Dangerous Liaisons. The fourth section contains selected authors, for which it is possible to find the impact of libertine movements on their work or lifestyle. Key words: libertine, libertine movement of 17th century, libertine movement of 18th century, Cyrano de Bergerac, Théophile de Viau, Crébillon son, Louvet de Couvray, Restif de la Bretonne, Boyer D'Argens, Vivant Denon, Choderlos de Laclos, Therese philosopher, No Tomorrow, Dangerous liaisons