17 th Century French Theatre and The Misanthrope

Historical Context Religious controversies in the XVI century that continued in the XVII century led to Absolutism Religious controversies in the XVI century that continued in the XVII century led to Absolutism Cardinal Richelieu served as Louis XIII “prime minister” – established strong central government Cardinal Richelieu served as Louis XIII “prime minister” – established strong central government Set during the rule of Louis XIV – The Sun King Set during the rule of Louis XIV – The Sun King France the cultural center of Europe France the cultural center of Europe

The Neoclassical Ideal of Theater Only two legitimate forms of drama: Only two legitimate forms of drama: ♣ tragedy ♣ tragedy ♣ comedy ♣ comedy Tragedy deals with affairs of the state Comedy deals with love The two should never be mixed

Neoclassicists: the purpose of drama is to teach and to please Neoclassicists: the purpose of drama is to teach and to please Opera came to France in the second half of the century Opera came to France in the second half of the century

Theaters and theatrical companies In addition to public theaters, plays were produced in private residences, before the court and in the university In addition to public theaters, plays were produced in private residences, before the court and in the university The public, the humanist theater of the colleges and the theater performed at court showed extremely divergent tastes The public, the humanist theater of the colleges and the theater performed at court showed extremely divergent tastes - tragicomedy was fashionable at the court - tragicomedy was fashionable at the court - the public was more interested in tragedy - the public was more interested in tragedy The early theaters in Paris were often placed in existing structures like tennis courts: The early theaters in Paris were often placed in existing structures like tennis courts: - stages were extremely narrow - stages were extremely narrow - facilities for sets and scene changes were often non- - facilities for sets and scene changes were often non- existent existent Eventually, theaters would develop systems of elaborate machines and decors Eventually, theaters would develop systems of elaborate machines and decors

Theater performances took place twice a week Theater performances took place twice a week Theatrical representations often encompassed several works: Theatrical representations often encompassed several works: a comic prologue, a tragedy or tragicomedy, a farce and finally a song a comic prologue, a tragedy or tragicomedy, a farce and finally a song Nobles sometimes sat on the side of the stage during the performance The audience was always aware of each other Spectators were notably vocal during performances

- The place directly in front of the stage, without seats(the "parterre“) was reserved for men - The place directly in front of the stage, without seats(the "parterre“) was reserved for men - It was usually a mix of social groups - It was usually a mix of social groups - Elegant people watched the show from the galleries - Elegant people watched the show from the galleries - Princes, musketeers and royal pages were given free entry - Princes, musketeers and royal pages were given free entry - Before 1630, a honest woman did not go to the theater - Before 1630, a honest woman did not go to the theater Unlike England, France placed no restrictions on women performing on stage Unlike England, France placed no restrictions on women performing on stage But the career of actors of either sex was seen as morally wrong by the Catholic church and by the religious Janseanist movement But the career of actors of either sex was seen as morally wrong by the Catholic church and by the religious Janseanist movement Actors typically had fantastic stage names that described typical roles or stereotypical characters Actors typically had fantastic stage names that described typical roles or stereotypical characters

Main requirements of a neoclassical drama Five acts Five acts Unity Unity - time ( 24 hours only) - time ( 24 hours only) - place ( same place) - place ( same place) - action ( only one plot) - action ( only one plot) “Poetic justice” to triumph “Poetic justice” to triumph

Moliere ( Jean Baptiste Poquelin) Went to a Jesuit school Went to a Jesuit school Studied law Studied law In 1643 joined the Illustre In 1643 joined the Illustre Theatre Theatre Composed 12 of the most Composed 12 of the most durable and penetratingly durable and penetratingly satirical full-length satirical full-length comedies of all time comedies of all time

As a comic dramatist he ranks with such other distinctive masters of the genre as Aristophanes, Plautus, and George Bernard Shaw. As a comic dramatist he ranks with such other distinctive masters of the genre as Aristophanes, Plautus, and George Bernard Shaw. Also the leading French comic actor, stage director, and dramatic theoretician of the 17th century Also the leading French comic actor, stage director, and dramatic theoretician of the 17th century Molière affirmed the potency of comedy as a serious, flexible art form Molière affirmed the potency of comedy as a serious, flexible art form The king's brother became Molière's patron The king's brother became Molière's patron

He is credited with giving the French “Comedy of manners” and “Comedy of manners” and “Comedy of character” “Comedy of character” their modern form their modern form

Molière advanced from being a gifted adapter of Italian-derived sketches and a showman who put on extravaganzas to a writer whose best plays had the lasting impact of tragedies Molière advanced from being a gifted adapter of Italian-derived sketches and a showman who put on extravaganzas to a writer whose best plays had the lasting impact of tragedies He made many enemies - the clergy mistakenly believed that certain of his plays were attacks on the church. Other playwrights resented his continual experiments with comic forms He made many enemies - the clergy mistakenly believed that certain of his plays were attacks on the church. Other playwrights resented his continual experiments with comic forms

Influenced by the Italian commedia dell'arte troupes Influenced by the Italian commedia dell'arte troupes He applied the alexandrine, to a relaxed dialogue that imitated conversational speech He applied the alexandrine, to a relaxed dialogue that imitated conversational speech He created a gallery of incisive portraits: Tartuffe the religious hypocrite, and Orgon, his dupe; Jourdain the social climber; Don Juan the rebel and libertine; cuckolds such as Arnolphe, Dandin, and Amphitryon; Alceste the stony idealist; Harpagon the miser; Philaminte the pretentiously cultured lady; and many more. He created a gallery of incisive portraits: Tartuffe the religious hypocrite, and Orgon, his dupe; Jourdain the social climber; Don Juan the rebel and libertine; cuckolds such as Arnolphe, Dandin, and Amphitryon; Alceste the stony idealist; Harpagon the miser; Philaminte the pretentiously cultured lady; and many more.

The Death He collapsed on Feb. 17, 1673, after the fourth performance of The Imaginary Invalid, and died at home that evening. On the night of February 21, he was interred in Saint Joseph's Cemetery. He collapsed on Feb. 17, 1673, after the fourth performance of The Imaginary Invalid, and died at home that evening. On the night of February 21, he was interred in Saint Joseph's Cemetery. Church leaders refused to officiate or to grant his body a formal burial. Church leaders refused to officiate or to grant his body a formal burial. Seven years later the king united Molière's company with one of its competitors; since that time the French national theater, the Comédie Francaise, has been known as the House of Molière. Seven years later the king united Molière's company with one of its competitors; since that time the French national theater, the Comédie Francaise, has been known as the House of Molière.

Plays by Moliere Short plays ( one or two acts): The Jealous Husband The Jealous Husband The Flying Doctor The Flying Doctor Sganarelle Sganarelle The Rehearsal at Versailles The Rehearsal at Versailles The Forced Marriage The Forced Marriage The longer plays (in three or five acts): The School for Husbands The School for Husbands The School for Wives The School for Wives Tartuffe Tartuffe Don Juan Don Juan The Misanthrope The Misanthrope The Doctor in Spite of Himself Amphitryon, The Miser, George Dandin, The Bourgeois Gentleman, Scapin, The Learned Ladies, and The Imaginary Invalid The Doctor in Spite of Himself Amphitryon, The Miser, George Dandin, The Bourgeois Gentleman, Scapin, The Learned Ladies, and The Imaginary Invalid

The Misanthrope A “misanthrope” is a person with general disgust, hatred, or disdain of the human species or of human nature A “misanthrope” is a person with general disgust, hatred, or disdain of the human species or of human nature First performed in 1666 at the Palais-Royal First performed in 1666 at the Palais-Royal Moliere played the role of Alceste and his wife, Armande, played Celimene Moliere played the role of Alceste and his wife, Armande, played Celimene Set in 17 th century France during the reign of the Sun King at the residence of the upper class. High fashion, court intrigue, and gossip all play a role. Set in 17 th century France during the reign of the Sun King at the residence of the upper class. High fashion, court intrigue, and gossip all play a role.

Mixed Critical Review Praised for originality Praised for originality Mixed response because it ridiculed so many: Mixed response because it ridiculed so many: The literary pretentions and moral hypocrisy of the French aristocracy The literary pretentions and moral hypocrisy of the French aristocracy The self-delusion of those who are hyper- critical of the society of the French aristocracy The self-delusion of those who are hyper- critical of the society of the French aristocracy

Themes Hypocrisy – flattery and deceit is used to make way through upper-class Hypocrisy – flattery and deceit is used to make way through upper-class Tactless candor – Alceste counters hypocrisy with candor, but he seems to enjoy criticizing others Tactless candor – Alceste counters hypocrisy with candor, but he seems to enjoy criticizing others Love Gone Wrong – unwillingness to compromise ruins romances Love Gone Wrong – unwillingness to compromise ruins romances Power – power at court was used to manipulate others Power – power at court was used to manipulate others Moderation – “nothing in excess” Moderation – “nothing in excess”