Subject
Middle class -- France -- Drama Books
Best books
Molière
The Middle-Class Gentleman
"The Middle-Class Gentleman" by Molière is a five-act comédie-ballet first performed in 1670 before the court of Louis XIV. The play satirizes social climbing through Monsieur Jourdain, a middle-aged merchant's son desperately trying to become an aristocrat. He hires teachers in fencing, dancing, and philosophy, making a fool of himself at every turn. When he refuses to let his daughter marry her middle-class beloved, insisting on a nobleman instead, a clever scheme unfolds involving an elaborate Turkish disguise that plays perfectly to his absurd ambitions.
Molière
The Shopkeeper Turned Gentleman
"The Shopkeeper Turned Gentleman" by Molière is a comedic play written in the late 17th century. This work centers around Monsieur Jourdain, a wealthy shopkeeper aspiring to rise in social status. Through his attempts to adopt the manners and attitudes of the aristocracy, he becomes a target for satire, highlighting the absurdities of social pretensions and class distinctions. The opening of the play introduces us to Mr. Jourdain, who is surrounded by various masters he has hired to teach him music, dancing, and fencing, demonstrating his eagerness to cultivate a genteel lifestyle. Dialogue among the musicians and dancers reveals their mixed feelings about Jourdain's lack of true artistic appreciation juxtaposed with his financial support. As the scene unfolds, we see Jourdain eagerly anticipating the arrival of guests, revealing his ignorance and naivety in trying to impress those of higher status, setting the stage for the comedic misunderstandings and social commentary that will follow.
Molière
Ο Αρχοντοχωριάτης
"Ο Αρχοντοχωριάτης" by Molière is a five-act comedy-ballet written in 1670. The work satirizes social climbing through the story of Monsieur Jourdain, a wealthy middle-aged bourgeois who desperately wants to be accepted as an aristocrat. He hires teachers in fencing, dance, music, and philosophy, constantly making a fool of himself while pursuing his grandiose dreams. When his daughter falls in love with a middle-class man, Jourdain refuses the match, hoping instead for nobility. A clever disguise scheme ultimately teaches him the consequences of his megalomania.
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