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Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known popularly by his stage name Moliere, is regarded as one of the masters of French comedic drama. When Moliere began acting in Paris there were two well-established theatrical companies, those of the Hotel de Bourgogne and the Marais. Joining these theatrical companies would have been impossible for a new member of the acting profession like Moliere and thus he performed with traveling troupes of actors in the French provinces. It was during this period that Moliere would refine his skills as both an actor and a writer. Eventually his reputation would increase allowing him to return to Paris where he gained the patronage of Philippe I, Duke of Orleans, the brother of the King of France, Louis XIV. This collection of Moliere’s plays includes some of his most notable compositions. In “The Misanthrope”, a comedy of errors which satirizes the hypocrisies of French aristocratic society, the author draws upon his bourgeoisie upbringing in 17th century France. “Tartuffe” is the story of Orgon, the head of his family, who has fallen under the influence of Tartuffe, an imposter who pretends to be pious and to speak with divine authority. These plays along with “The School for Wives”, “The School for Wives Criticized”, and “The Impromptu at Versailles” exhibit the dramatist at his comedic best. This edition includes an introduction by Henry Carrington Lancaster and a biographical afterword.

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known popularly by his stage name Moliere, is regarded as one of the masters of French comedic drama. When Moliere began acting in Paris there were two well-established theatrical companies, those of the Hotel de Bourgogne and the Marais. Joining these theatrical companies would have been impossible for a new member of the acting profession like Moliere and thus he performed with traveling troupes of actors in the French provinces. It was during this period that Moliere would refine his skills as both an actor and a writer. Eventually his reputation would increase allowing him to return to Paris where he gained the patronage of Philippe I, Duke of Orleans, the brother of the King of France, Louis XIV. In this volume one of Moliere’s most popular works is presented, one in which the author draws upon his bourgeoisie upbringing in 17th century France. “The Misanthrope” is a comedy of errors which satirizes the hypocrisies of French aristocratic society. The story is concerned with the relationship between Alceste, a French gentleman who laments the superficiality of society life, and Celimene, a woman who epitomizes the courtly manners that Alceste despises. This edition is translated by Henri Van Laun, includes an introduction by Eleanor F. Jourdain, and a biographical afterword.

Written during the highly successful final years of his life, the plays contained in this edition represent the pinnacle of Moliere's artistry and the most profound demonstration of his vision of humanity: «The Misanthrope,» «The Doctor in Spite of Himself,» a hilarious example of Moliere's long-standing skepticism of the medical profession, «The Miser,» «The Shopkeeper Turned Gentleman,» «The Impostures of Scapin,» «The Learned Women,» and «The Imaginary Invalid,» the play that Moliere appeared in only hours before his death. These works combine all the traditional elements of comedy—wit, slapstick, spectacle and satire, with a certain deep understanding of character that Moliere was notorious for. His highly popular work, «The Misanthrope,» satirizes the hypocrisies of aristocratic French society, and paints an accurate picture of the upper-class world in which Moliere, looked down upon as a playwright, was ultimately denied membership to.