The Miser by Molière (Book Analysis) E-Book

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• Herausgeber: BrightSummaries.com
• Kategorie: Bildung
• Serie: BrightSummaries.com
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 20

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

Unlock the more straightforward side of The Miser with this concise and insightful summary and analysis!

This engaging summary presents an analysis of The Miser by Molière, which tells the story of Harpagon, a wealthy bourgeois whose main priority in life is money, and how he gets in the way of his children’s search for love. The work is one of the Molière’s most famous plays and presents a comedic criticism of one the vices of mankind. The author's plays have had great influence over French culture, and the word harpagon has even entered the dictionary as somebody who is obsessively greedy and cheap, just like Molière's protagonist. This classic work has been adapted for screen and stage countless times, and has even been made into a Bollywood musical. 

Find out everything you need to know about The Miser in a fraction of the time!

This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:
   • A complete plot summary
   • Character studies
   • Key themes and symbols
   • Questions for further reflection

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Leseprobe

Molière

French playwright, actor and stage manager

Born in Paris in 1622 Died there in 1673 Notable works:Dom Juan (1665), comedyThe Miser (1668), comedyThe Bourgeois Gentleman (1670), comédie-ballet

An author, director, stage manager and actor, Molière (whose real name was Jean-Baptiste Poquelin) was born in Paris in 1622 into the affluent bourgeoisie. Very early on he decided to pursue a career in the theater and founded, along with actress Madeleine Béjart, the Illustre Théâtre company. After twelve years of travelling theater in the provinces, he returned to Paris where he was noticed by Louis XIV who took him into his service.

He wrote mainly comedies in which, under the cover of humor, he highlighted the defects of his contemporaries (preciosity, pedantry, avarice, etc.) and criticized 17th century society (authoritarian fathers, religious hypocrisy, quack doctors, etc.). His many plays are still influential today, making Molière one of the most important authors of the classical century.

The Miser

An emblematic figure in Molière’s theater

Genre: comedyReference edition: Molière, J-B. (2000) The Miser and Other Plays. London: Penguin Books Ltd.First edition: 1668Themes: bourgeoisie, marriage, trickery, avarice, money, love

The Miser is a comedy in five acts written in prose. It was performed for the first time in 1668 at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal. The plot takes place in Paris. Inspired by Aulularia by Plautus (comic Latin poet of the 3rd century B.C.), it tells the story of Harpagon, an old bourgeois obsessed with money, who impedes the sentimental projects of his two children, Élise and Cléante. They finally get what they want, thanks to a dramatic twist in the last act.

Ironically, The Miser was not a resounding success when it was released, but today has become one of Molière’s most performed plays. As for Harpagon, he is one of the emblematic figures of Molière’s theater.

Summary

Act I

Élise and Valère are in love. The young man, after having saved her from drowning, has renounced his homeland and social status to be with her. Indeed, he begins serving Harpagon, Élise’s father, and tries to win his favor by flattering him constantly.