The Misanthrope, Tartuffe, and Other Plays (Oxford World's Classics)

This unique volume brings together four of Molière's greatest verse comedies covering the best years of his prolific writing career. Actor, director, and playwright, Molière (1622-73) was one of the finest and most influential French dramatists, adept at portraying human foibles and puncturing pomposity. The School for Wives was his first great success; Tartuffe, condemned and banned for five years, his most controversial play. The Misanthrope is his acknowledged masterpiece, and The Clever Women his last, and perhaps best-constructed, verse piece. In addition this collection includes a spirited attack on his enemies and a defense of his theater, in the form of two sparkling short plays, The School for Wives Criticized and The Impromptu at Versailles.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Customer Reviews:

tartuffe

By Ivy - April 8, 2011

Tartuffe is a famous play written by Moliere in the 17th century, under the reign of Luis XIV. It is about the guy, Tartuffe, who is seemingly a very humble man devoted to the church, but in fact has completely different plans and ideas. He meets Orgon, a rich noble man, at a church, and impresses him so much, that Orgon promises him his daughter's hand as well as the whole household. The rest of the Orgon's family realizes very fast that Tartuffe is a hypocrite, but they cannot oppose Orgon because in that period of time no one was going against the "King" of a family. The only person, who is openly opposing Orgon and trying to convince him that he is wrong about Tartuffe, is Dorine the maid, who brings the fresh air of the working class people of pre-revolutionary France in this noble family with a strict order. Eventually, Orgon finds out that he has been "dragged by the nose" after he witnesses how Tartuffe tried to seduce his wife.
After I read this play I realized why the... read more

Tartuffe

By Aryeh S - May 2, 2011

"Tartuffe" is a play written by Moliere in 17th Century France. It begins with the family of Orgon, a rich nobleman, who is being deceived by Tartuffe, a fake "Man of God". Tartuffe himself is not actually introduced until in middle of the play, which I think, gives an affect of making the audience wait in anticipation for the main character. Orgon is completely fooled by Tartuffe's ways and will not believe any ill words about him. So much so, that Orgon plans on giving his daughters hand in marriage to Tartuffe, while Tartuffe makes advances on Orgons wife, and Orgon will not believe it. The rest of the family sees right through this bogus Tartuffe, but for most of the play Orgon will not accept it. Finally, Orgons wife is able to set up a trap in which Tartuffe was caught in the act. Tartuffe already had the rights to all of Orgons property signed over to him, through his deceit, but when Tartuffe went to the king, the king saw right through him, and the play ends happily... read more

unreadable edition, useless

By whereitsart - October 6, 2011

Re the kindle version of this book, I just rec'd this edition of Moliere plays a couple of days ago. I read the prefatory material, but then discovered that the actual text of the plays is faulty. The problem is that the text is in a tiny font size, and cannot be enlarged with the "Aa" command. So I could not read it at all.