The Countess of Escarbagnas E-Book

Moliere

• Herausgeber: DigiCat
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

In Molière's comedic play 'The Countess of Escarbagnas', the audience is transported into the world of social climbing and absurdity. The play follows the titular character, The Countess of Escarbagnas, as she orchestrates elaborate schemes to elevate her social status. With witty dialogue and farcical situations, Molière satirizes the superficiality and pretentiousness of the aristocracy. Through this play, Molière showcases his mastery of comedic timing and exaggerated characters, typical of French neoclassical drama. The Countess of Escarbagnas is a prime example of Molière's ability to blend humor and social commentary seamlessly, making it a timeless classic in the realm of comedic literature. The play serves as a reminder of the folly of vanity and the importance of genuine human connection. Readers will be entertained by Molière's sharp wit and keen observations on society, making 'The Countess of Escarbagnas' a must-read for anyone interested in French comedy and satire.

Leseprobe

Molière

The Countess of Escarbagnas

 

EAN 8596547417910

DigiCat, 2022 Contact: [email protected]

Table of Contents

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

THE COUNTESS OF ESCARBAGNAS.

SCENE I.—JULIA, THE VISCOUNT.

SCENE II.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA; ANDRÉE and CRIQUET in the background .

SCENE III.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA, ANDRÉE.

SCENE IV.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA.

SCENE V.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA, ANDRÉE.

SCENE VI.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA, ANDRÉE, CRIQUET.

SCENE VII.—THE COUNTESS and JULIA (making much ceremony before they sit down) .

SCENE VIII.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA, ANDRÉE (who brings a glass of water) , CRIQUET.

SCENE IX.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA.

SCENE X.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA, ANDRÉE (who brings a glass of water, with a plate on the top of it) , CRIQUET.

SCENE XI.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA.

SCENE XII.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA, ANDRÉE, CRIQUET.

SCENE XIII.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA, ANDRÉE, CRIQUET, JEANNOT.

SCENE XIV.—THE COUNTESS, CRIQUET, JEANNOT.

SCENE XV.—THE VISCOUNT, THE COUNTESS, JULIA, CRIQUET.

SCENE XVI.—MR. THIBAUDIER, THE VISCOUNT, THE COUNTESS, JULIA, CRIQUET.

SCENE XVII.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA, THE VISCOUNT, MR. THIBAUDIER, MR. BOBINET, CRIQUET.

SCENE XVIII.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA, THE VISCOUNT, MR. THIBAUDIER.

SCENE XIX.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA, THE VISCOUNT, THE COUNT, MR. BOBINET, MR. THIBAUDIER.

SCENE XX.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA, THE VISCOUNT, MR THIBAUDIER, THE COUNT, MR. BOBINET, CRIQUET.

SCENE XXI.—THE COUNTESS, JULIA, THE VISCOUNT, THE COUNT, MR. HARPIN, MR. THIBAUDIER, MR. BOBINET, CRIQUET.

SCENE XXII.—THE COUNTESS, THE VISCOUNT, JULIA, MR. THIBAUDIER, JEANNOT.

'La Comtesse d'Escarbagnas' was acted before the Court at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, on December 2, 1671, and in the theatre of the Palais Royal on July 8, 1672. It was never printed during Molière's lifetime, but for the first time only in 1682. It gives us a good picture of the provincial thoughts, manners, and habits of those days.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

Table of Contents

The Count, son to theCountess.The Viscount, in love withJulia.Mr. Thibaudier, councillor, in love with theCountess.Mr. Harpin, receiver of taxes, also in love with theCountess.Mr. Bobinet, tutor to theCount.Jeannot, servant toMr. Thibaudier.Criquet, servant to theCountess.The Countess of Escarbagnas.Julia, in love with theViscount.Andrée, maid to theCountess.  

The scene is at Angoulême.

THE COUNTESS OF ESCARBAGNAS.

Table of Contents

SCENE I.—JULIA, THE VISCOUNT.

Table of Contents

Visc. What! you are here already?

Ju. Yes, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself, Cléante; it is not right for a lover to be the last to come to the rendezvous.

Visc. I should have been here long ago if there were no importunate people in the world. I was stopped on my way by an old bore of rank, who asked me news of the court, merely to be able himself to detail to me the most absurd things that can well be imagined about it. You know that those great newsmongers are the curse of provincial towns, and that they have no greater anxiety than to spread, everywhere abroad all the tittle-tattle they pick up. This one showed me, to begin with, two large sheets of paper full to the very brim with the greatest imaginable amount of rubbish, which, he says, comes from the safest quarters. Then, as if it were a wonderful thing, he read full length and with great mystery all the stupid jokes in the Dutch Gazette, which he takes for gospel.1 He thinks that France is being brought to ruin by the pen of that writer, whose fine wit, according to him, is sufficient to defeat armies. After that he raved about the ministry, spoke of all its faults, and I thought he would never have done. If one is to believe him, he knows the secrets of the cabinet better than those who compose it. The policy of the state is an open book to him, and no step is taken without his seeing through it. He shows you the secret machinations of all that takes place, whither the wisdom of our neighbours tends, and controls at his will and pleasure all the affairs of Europe. His knowledge of what goes on extends as far as Africa and Asia, and he is informed of all that; is discussed in the privy council of Prester John.2

Ju. You make the best excuse you can, and so arrange it that it may pass off well and be easily received.

Visc. I assure you, dear Julia, that this is the real reason of my being late. But if I wanted to say anything gallant, I could tell you that the rendezvous to which you bring me here might well excuse the sluggishness of which you complain. To compel me to pay my addresses to the lady of this house is certainly reason enough for me to fear being here the first. I ought not to have to bear the misery of it, except when she whom it amuses is present. I avoid finding myself alone with that ridiculous countess with whom you shackle me. In short, as I come only for your sake, I have every reason to stay away until you are here.

Ju. Oh! you will never lack the power of giving a bright colour to your faults. However, if you had come half an hour sooner, we should have enjoyed those few moments. For when I came, I found that the countess was out, and I have no doubt that she is gone all over the town to claim for herself the honour of the comedy you gave me under her name.

Visc. But, pray, when will you put an end to this, and make me buy less dearly the happiness of seeing you?