Subject
French drama -- 18th century -- Translations into English Books
Best books
Voltaire
Socrates
"Socrates" by Voltaire is a play written in 1759. Set in Ancient Greece, it dramatizes the events leading to the philosopher's trial and death. Voltaire portrays Socrates as a moral figure persecuted by corrupt Athenian officials and priests. Heavy with satire, the play targets government authority and organized religion. While less famous than Voltaire's other works, it reveals his contempt for institutional power—ideas that would later influence revolutionary movements in America and France.
Charles Rivière Dufresny
The Village Coquette; Or, The Supposed Lottery
"The Village Coquette; Or, The Supposed Lottery" by Charles Rivière Dufresny is a comedic play written during the early 18th century, when the classic French theatre flourished. This witty work explores themes of love, deception, and social ambition in a rural setting, centering around a young woman named Lisette who skillfully negotiates the affections of three suitors: the Baron, Argon, and Girard, each representing different social classes and ambitions. In the story, Lisette, influenced by her motherly figure, the Widow, has been groomed to be a coquette, expertly maneuvering through romantic entanglements to leverage her beauty and charm for social gain. The plot thickens with the introduction of a supposed lottery win awarded to Farmer Lucas, Lisette’s father, which sets off a chain of misunderstandings and attempts at manipulation among the characters. As the suitors vie for Lisette’s affection in hopes of securing a prosperous marriage, they unwittingly expose their own greed and gullibility. Ultimately, a series of comic twists leads to revelations, leaving characters to confront the futility of their ambitions and the true value of love, resulting in a humorous and thought-provoking commentary on social aspirations in the context of romantic relationships.
Charles Rivière Dufresny
The Spirit of Contradiction
"The Spirit of Contradiction" by Charles Rivière Dufresny is a comedic play written during the early 18th century. The story unfolds in a garden in London, revolving around the complexities of relationships and the theme of contradiction, particularly exemplified in the character of Mrs. Townly. The play highlights the humorous chaos that ensues from the conflicting desires of the characters as they navigate marriage proposals and family dynamics. The narrative centers around Mr. Townly's desire to marry off his daughter Angelica to a suitable suitor, Mr. Nelson, while his wife, Mrs. Townly, has her own contradictory opinions about whom Angelica should wed. Lucas, the gardener, observes the farcical entanglements and plans to use the spirit of contradiction to his advantage. As the characters engage in witty banter and scheming, Mrs. Townly's obstinate nature leads to misunderstandings and comedic situations. The play culminates in a frenzy of confusion as efforts to control the marriage decisions backfire, ultimately revealing the folly of trying to manipulate personal desires and relationships.
Charles Rivière Dufresny
The Double Widowing
"The Double Widowing" by Charles Rivière Dufresny is a comedic play written in the early 18th century. The story revolves around the intrigues of characters dealing with themes of love, deception, and societal expectations in the context of marriage and widowhood. The plot unfolds in the luxurious setting of a Countess's country house, where misunderstandings and manipulations lead to a series of humorous situations involving a widow, her deceased husband, and various suitors. In the play, the plot thickens as the widow Mrs. Bramble, believing herself to be free and in mourning, unknowingly becomes the target of a scheme designed by the Countess to orchestrate marriages for the younger characters. Mr. Bramble, her husband, is alive but is led to believe that he is the widower of his own faked death, complicating matters further. Desmond, the nephew of Mr. Bramble, is in love with Arabella, Mrs. Bramble's niece, and their secret amorous plans become intertwined with the Countess's manipulations. The humor is driven by the misunderstandings and mistaken identities that arise from the characters' unfulfilled desires and the farcical twists that ultimately lead to a mix of love, comedy, and a breakdown of social pretenses, culminating in a chaotic but joyful resolution.
Charles Rivière Dufresny
The Forfeiture
"The Forfeiture" by Charles Rivière Dufresny is a comedic play written in the early 18th century, reflecting the theatrical style of the French Enlightenment period. The narrative revolves around themes of love, family obligations, and the often absurd social conventions regarding marriage and inheritance. Set against the backdrop of a young couple's struggles, the play humorously explores the complex dynamics between relatives and the societal pressures that influence personal relationships. The story primarily follows Valere and Isabelle, who are in love but face opposition from Isabelle's two aunts, Belise and Araminte. The aunts have sworn never to marry, which jeopardizes Valere's hope for restitution from them, as their marriage would lead to an inheritance for him. Valere's clever valet, Frontin, devises a plan to manipulate the aunts by pretending to be suitors, using different identities to charm them and ultimately secure both their fortunes and his master's romance. As various misunderstandings and deceptions unfold, the play culminates in a comedic resolution where the aunts are confronted with their own hypocrisy regarding love and marriage, paving the way for Valere and Isabelle's future together.
Jean-François Regnard
The Unforseen Return
"The Unforseen Return" by Jean-François Regnard is a comedic play written in the early 18th century, particularly reflecting the style of French theatre of that era. This one-act comedy revolves around themes of love, deception, and the whims of social class, showcasing the characters Edward Richly and Belinda, as well as an array of supporting characters, all caught in a web of misunderstandings and comedic situations. The play is a lighthearted exploration of how familial and financial pressures can influence romantic relationships. The storyline unfolds as Edward Richly is preparing to marry Belinda, but complications arise with the unexpected return of his father, Mr. Richly, who is completely unaware of his son's extravagant lifestyle and debts. As the characters scramble to keep the father from discovering the true nature of his son's affairs, misunderstandings ensue, leading to humorous exchanges between the characters, including the meddlesome Mrs. Prim and the loud Squire. The tension heightens with Mr. Richly's interest in the fate of his house and wealth, compounded by Roger's attempts to cover up the truth, ultimately leading to revelations that could change everything. The play concludes on a positive note, celebrating love and marriage amidst the shenanigans, making it a delightful comedic experience.
Alain René Le Sage
La Tontine
"La Tontine" by Alain René Le Sage is a one-act play written in the early 18th century. This comic work touches on themes of deception and the often-humorous relationships between doctors and patients, as well as the absurdities of financial schemes like tontines, where the last surviving beneficiary collects the entire payout. The play explores the lengths to which people will go to secure their financial interests and the often comical consequences of such schemes. The storyline revolves around Dr. Peacock, who concocts a devious plan to profit from a tontine by taking out an insurance policy on the life of a robust peasant named Dudley. In a parallel plot, Peacock aims to marry his daughter, Harriet, to Flem, a rather undesirable pharmacist. As the characters navigate this web of absurdities, the peasant finds himself subjected to the doctor's relentless and questionable medical treatments, while Dudley, unaware of the nefarious plot, fears for his life. This humorous interplay of mistaken intentions and societal norms ultimately leads to a series of misunderstandings and a resolution where the characters find themselves entwined in unexpected romantic and financial entanglements. Through witty dialogues and farcical situations, Le Sage critiques the intersection of medicine and commerce in society.
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