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- Herausgeber: DigiCat
- Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
- Sprache: Englisch
In Molière's captivating comedy, "The Countess of Escarbagnas," the playwright masterfully blends sharp wit with astute social commentary, presenting a tapestry of 17th-century French societal norms and individual folly. The play revolves around the charming yet naïve Countess, ensnared in the duplicitous machinations of suitors vying for her affection, wholly primered in Molière's signature style of biting humor and character-driven narratives. The intricate interplay of deception, love, and societal expectation resonates throughout the text, creating a rich literary context that reflects the era's emerging themes of romantic entanglement and identity crisis within the aristocracy. Molière, a luminary of French literature and a pioneer of comedic theater, drew upon his own experiences with the diverse social strata of France to inform this work. His keen observations of human behavior, coupled with his theatrical background, allowed him to craft characters that are both ludicrous and relatable, bridging the gap between the audience and the stage. Molière's insights into the follies of love and pretense harmonize with the comedic elements, offering a profound exploration of societal truths intertwined with entertainment. "The Countess of Escarbagnas" is essential reading for those interested in the evolution of theater and social commentary. Molière deftly invites readers to reflect upon the absurdities of desire and the masks we wear, making it a timeless piece that resonates with contemporary themes. This play is a delightful concoction of laughter and insight, ensuring its place in the pantheon of classic literature.
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022
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The Countess of Escarbagnas
Table of Contents
'La Comtesse d'Escarbagnas' was acted before the Court at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, on December 2, 1671, and in the theatre of the Palais Royal on July 8, 1672. It was never printed during Molière's lifetime, but for the first time only in 1682. It gives us a good picture of the provincial thoughts, manners, and habits of those days.
PERSONS REPRESENTED.
The Count, son to theCountess.The Viscount, in love withJulia.Mr. Thibaudier, councillor, in love with theCountess.Mr. Harpin, receiver of taxes, also in love with theCountess.Mr. Bobinet, tutor to theCount.Jeannot, servant toMr. Thibaudier.Criquet, servant to theCountess.The Countess of Escarbagnas.Julia, in love with theViscount.Andrée, maid to theCountess.
The scene is at Angoulême.
THE COUNTESS OF ESCARBAGNAS.
SCENE I.—JULIA, THE VISCOUNT.
Visc. What! you are here already?
Ju. Yes, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself, Cléante; it is not right for a lover to be the last to come to the rendezvous.
Visc. I should have been here long ago if there were no importunate people in the world. I was stopped on my way by an old bore of rank, who asked me news of the court, merely to be able himself to detail to me the most absurd things that can well be imagined about it. You know that those great newsmongers are the curse of provincial towns, and that they have no greater anxiety than to spread, everywhere abroad all the tittle-tattle they pick up. This one showed me, to begin with, two large sheets of paper full to the very brim with the greatest imaginable amount of rubbish, which, he says, comes from the safest quarters. Then, as if it were a wonderful thing, he read full length and with great mystery all the stupid jokes in the Dutch Gazette, which he takes for gospel.1 He thinks that France is being brought to ruin by the pen of that writer, whose fine wit, according to him, is sufficient to defeat armies. After that he raved about the ministry, spoke of all its faults, and I thought he would never have done. If one is to believe him, he knows the secrets of the cabinet better than those who compose it. The policy of the state is an open book to him, and no step is taken without his seeing through it. He shows you the secret machinations of all that takes place, whither the wisdom of our neighbours tends, and controls at his will and pleasure all the affairs of Europe. His knowledge of what goes on extends as far as Africa and Asia, and he is informed of all that; is discussed in the privy council of Prester John.2
Ju. You make the best excuse you can, and so arrange it that it may pass off well and be easily received.
Visc. I assure you, dear Julia, that this is the real reason of my being late. But if I wanted to say anything gallant, I could tell you that the rendezvous to which you bring me here might well excuse the sluggishness of which you complain. To compel me to pay my addresses to the lady of this house is certainly reason enough for me to fear being here the first. I ought not to have to bear the misery of it, except when she whom it amuses is present. I avoid finding myself alone with that ridiculous countess with whom you shackle me. In short, as I come only for your sake, I have every reason to stay away until you are here.
Ju. Oh! you will never lack the power of giving a bright colour to your faults. However, if you had come half an hour sooner, we should have enjoyed those few moments. For when I came, I found that the countess was out, and I have no doubt that she is gone all over the town to claim for herself the honour of the comedy you gave me under her name.
Visc. But, pray, when will you put an end to this, and make me buy less dearly the happiness of seeing you?
