Penguin Classics Miser And Other Plays A New Selection [Paperback]

Moliere is always a treat, and his plays always seem to conceal their age. This selection is no exception. The John Wood/David Coward translations, however, do not have the lively contemporary fluidity of those of Richard Wilbur, whose elegant flair for Moliere's conversational prose is unmatched. But by all means, try both translations and decide for yourself.

Don Juan
This play is a fun read, and it is a gem when performed well. The contemporary American reader lives in a land of waning religiosity, yet one in which theocracy is ironically gaining influence in national politics. It is in this context that we have to smile, if not laugh, when Don Juan says,

"It's no longer shameful to be a dissembler; hypocrisy is now a fashionable vice and all the fashionable vices pass for virtues. The part of the God-fearing man is the best possible role to play nowadays, and in our present society the hypocrite's profession has extraordinary advantages. It's an art whose dishonesty always goes unchallenged...The hypocrite, by means of pious pretenses, attaches himself to the devout, and anyone who then assails him is set upon by a great phalanx of the godly...The true believers are easily hoodwinked by the false...I can't tell you how many men I know who, by means of a feigned devotion, have glossed over the sins of their youth, wrapped themselves in the cloak of religion, and in that holy disguise are now free to be the worst of scoundrels!"

Amazon's rules prohibit me from disclosing the ending, though it has been known for some 331 years, but I will tell you that it leaves Don Juan's valet, Sganarelle, wondering how he'll ever get his back pay.

The Hypocondriac
The plot of The Hypocondriac, also translated The Imaginary Invalid, is riotously funny. Argan, the protagonist, is the hypochondriac, and everyone knows he's not sick; he just loves the attention and the pity he gets by being chronically ill. There is a ton of criticism of the medical profession, and the reader must keep in mind that, considering the state of medical science 350 years ago, the derision was entirely warranted. Argan arranges a marriage for his daughter, Angelique, with a young doctor, who he hopes will minister to his ills. Angelique is in love with Cleante, and resists the arrangement. In a subplot, Argan's wife, Beline, tries through a conspiracy with a notary, to disinherit Argan's daughters and get his wealth for herself. Argan's simple, but ingenious trickery brings both Beline's contempt and Angelique's love to light and the lovers are united.

Moliere wrote The Hypocondriac to be staged as a musical comedy, with singing and dance interspersed amongst the drama. It is a difficult play to direct, and difficult to stage. Any theater company which attempts it deserves credit, but the risk of failure is ever present.

moliere is one of the great comic genuises of our time. The miser, which is perhaps the most well known and definately my personal favorite play in this book, is a great example of his quick wit and irony. this translation, while for clarity completely perfect, seems to stray a little from other and more beautiful translations of this play i have read. However, what a treat for the actor and the reader alike. Second only to the misanthrope (and maybe Tartuffe) this, one of Moliere's classics, is a must read. Note also, for the actor, that there are some wonderful scenes that require great timing in this play and would be wonderful as a duo audition piece.

› Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews  4.0 out of 5 stars