The Misanthrope E-Book

Moliere

• Herausgeber: Nick Hern Books
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Beschreibung

Drama Classics: The World's Great Plays at a Great Little Price Molière's most-admired comedy of manners, about a man whose quickness to criticise the flaws in others, and in himself, leads him into deep trouble. Alceste, the 'misanthrope', hates all mankind, and despairs of its hypocrisy and falseness. He believes that the world could be perfected if people were more honest with each other. But when his honesty starts to make him enemies, and the target of malicious gossips, it is his world and his life which suffer. The Misanthrope, or the Cantankerous Lover (Le Misanthrope ou l'Atrabilaire amoureux) was first performed in 1666 at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris. This English version, in the Nick Hern Books Drama Classics series, is translated and introduced by Stephen Mulrine.

Leseprobe

DRAMA CLASSICS

THE MISANTHROPE

by

Molière

translated and introduced by

Stephen Mulrine

NICK HERN BOOKS

London

www.nickhernbooks.co.uk

Contents

Title Page

Introduction

For Further Reading

Molière: Key Dates

The Misanthrope

Characters

Act One

Act Two

Act Three

Act Four

Act Five

Pronunciation Guide

Copyright and Performing Rights Information

Introduction

Molière (1622-1673)

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, later to adopt the stage name Molière, was born in Paris on 15 January 1622, the eldest son of a successful upholstery merchant. In 1631, Molière’s father was able to purchase the Court office of valet de chambre and upholsterer to the King, Louis XIII, and the young Molière was initially destined to follow in his father’s footsteps. Before that, he was given a first-class education in philosophy and the humanities at the Jesuit Collège de Clermont in Paris, and went on to study law at the University of Orléans, receiving his licence to practise in 1642. Molière may have done so very briefly, but within a year he had renounced the succession to his father’s upholstery business, in favour of his younger brother, retaining only the ceremonial office of valet de chambre, for its valuable entry to Court circles.

Molière’s sudden change of direction was brought about by his involvement with the theatrical Béjart family, in particular Madeleine Béjart, some four years older than Molière, and who later became his mistress. Madeleine Béjart, regarded as one of the finest actresses of her day, was the moving spirit of a small troupe of actors; and in June 1643, Molière, with financial support from his remarkably indulgent father, signed a contract with the Béjart family establishing a company, the Illustre-Théâtre, to be based in a former tennis court. It was around this time that the budding actor and playwright changed his name to Molière, and he soon also took over the direction of the company. Following their debut in Rouen, the Illustre-Théâtre opened in Paris on New Year’s Day and were at first successful enough to plan adding comedy to their repertoire of tragedies. But by the end of 1645 the company was bankrupt, and Molière himself had to be bailed out of debtors’ prison by his father. Molière and the Béjarts then joined another company, under the protection of the Duc d’Épernon, and headed by Charles Dufresne, to tour the provinces, and for the next twelve years or so, they played all over south and west France. In 1653, the company acquired a new patron, the Prince de Conti, and Molière assumed the role of director.