The Middle-Class Gentleman

Name: The Middle-Class Gentleman
Author: Molière

By Molière

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About This Book

A self-important bourgeois pursues the manners and trappings of the aristocracy, hiring teachers in music, dance, fencing, philosophy, and tailoring while comically misapplying their lessons. His daughter's clandestine romance is aided by resourceful servants who outwit suitors and manipulate his vanity. Interlaced with music and dance interludes, the action builds to an elaborate mock ceremony that flatters his ambitions and exposes his gullibility. The comedy satirizes social climbing and pretension, contrasting the spectacle of affectation with the ordinary realities beneath it.

About the Author

Molière

Molière, born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, was a seminal French playwright and actor of the 17th century, renowned for his sharp wit and keen observations of human behavior. He is celebrated for his contributions to the genre of comedy, often blending humor with social critique. His notable works include "Tartuffe," a scathing satire on hypocrisy and religious pretense, and "The Misanthrope," which explores themes of honesty and social norms. Molière's plays are characterized by their clever dialogue, memorable characters, and enduring relevance, solidifying his place as a cornerstone of Western literature.