The Shopkeeper Turned Gentlemen aka The Middle-Class Gentleman: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
By Molière
()
About this ebook
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin is better known to us by his stage name of Molière. He was born in Paris, to a prosperous well-to-do family on 15th January 1622.
In 1631, his father purchased from the court of Louis XIII the posts of "valet of the King's chamber and keeper of carpets and upholstery" which Molière assumed in 1641. The benefits included only three months' work per annum for which he was paid 300 livres and also provided a number of lucrative contracts.
However in June 1643, at 21, Molière abandoned this for his first love; a career on the stage. He partnered with the actress Madeleine Béjart, to found the Illustre Théâtre at a cost of 630 livres.
Unfortunately despite their enthusiasm, effort and ambition the troupe went bankrupt in 1645.
Molière and Madeleine now began again and spent the next dozen years touring the provincial circuit. His journey back to the sacred land of Parisian theatres was slow but by 1658 he performed in front of the King at the Louvre.
From this point Molière both wrote and acted in a large number of productions that caused both outrage and applause. His many attacks on social conventions, the church, hypocrisy and other areas whilst also writing a large number of comedies, farces, tragicomedies, comédie-ballets are the stuff of legend.
‘Tartuffe’, ‘The Misanthrope’, ‘The Miser’ and ‘The School for Wives’ are but some of his classics.
His death was as dramatic as his life. Molière suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis. One evening he collapsed on stage in a fit of coughing and haemorrhaging while performing in the last play he'd written, in which, ironically, he was playing the hypochondriac Argan, in ‘The Imaginary Invalid’.
Molière insisted on completing his performance.
Afterwards he collapsed again with another, larger haemorrhage and was taken home. Priests were sent for to administer the last rites. Two priests refused to visit. A third arrived too late. On 17th February 1673, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, forever to be known as Molière, was pronounced dead in Paris. He was 51.
Molière
Molière was a French playwright, actor, and poet. Widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language and universal literature, his extant works include comedies, farces, tragicomedies, comédie-ballets, and more.
Read more from Molière
The Misanthrope: A Play Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/521 plays by Molière in English translation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTartuffe or The Hypocrite Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tartuffe Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAmphitryon, By Molière Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don Juan: Comedy in Five Acts, 1665 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Misanthrope (Translated by Henri Van Laun with an Introduction by Eleanor F. Jourdain) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Harvard Classics: All 71 Volumes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe School for Wives: L'École des Femmes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe School for Husbands Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Tartuffe and Other Plays Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Misanthrope Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tartuffe Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Misanthrope Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The School for Wives Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAmphitryon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Pretentious Young Ladies Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Misanthrope Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Physican in Spite of Himself aka A Doctor Despite Himself: Le Médecin Malgré Lui Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSganarelle or, The Self-Deceived Husband aka The Imaginary Cuckold: Sganarelle ou Le Cocu Imaginaire Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Impostures of Scapin: Les Fourberies de Scapin Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTartuffe Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Misanthrope and Other Plays Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to The Shopkeeper Turned Gentlemen aka The Middle-Class Gentleman
Related ebooks
The Middle-Class Gentleman aka The Shopkeeper Turned Gentleman: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Middle Class Gentleman Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Shopkeeper Turned Gentleman Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMonsieur de Pourceaugnac: 'I prefer a pleasant vice to an annoying virtue'' Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Bourgeois Gentleman Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Monsieur De Pourceaugnac Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLove For Love: “Say what you will, ’tis better to be left than never to have been loved.” Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe School for Husbands Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Fairy Tale. In Two Acts: 'From our debate, from our dissention, We are their parents and original'' Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Bores aka The Mad: Les Fâcheux Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Myth of Shakespeare Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5The Staple of News: "In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures, life may perfect be." Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Sylvandire: A Play in Four Acts Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMarriage A La Mode: “Better shun the bait, than struggle in the snare. ” Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Self-Deceived Husband Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAffected Young Ladies aka The Pretentious Young Ladies: Les Précieuses Ridicules Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShe Stoops to Conquer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Provok'd Husband: 'Love, like virtue, is its own reward'' Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Roaring Girl: “Good, happy, swift; there's gunpowder i'th' court, Wildfire at midnight in this heedless fury.” Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTartuffe or, The Hypocrite aka The Imposter: Tartuffe ou L'Imposteur Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Magnificent Lovers: Les Amants Magnifiques Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Magnetic Lady, or, Humours Reconciled Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSganarelle or, The Self-Deceived Husband aka The Imaginary Cuckold: Sganarelle ou Le Cocu Imaginaire Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Humourous Lieutenant: "He never is alone that is accompanied with noble thoughts" Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Roaring Girl, or Moll Cutpurse: "Who'll hear an ass speak?" Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Doubtful Heir: "Death lays his icy hand on kings. Scepter and crown must tumble down" Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAn Ideal Husband Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAmphitryon: 'The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it'' Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Staple of News Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsArtists' Wives Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Performing Arts For You
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Sisters Brothers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hollywood's Dark History: Silver Screen Scandals Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hamlet Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Diamond Eye: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Macbeth (new classics) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Robin Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Importance of Being Earnest: A Play Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Quite Nice and Fairly Accurate Good Omens Script Book: The Script Book Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes: Revised and Complete Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Unsheltered: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5For colored girls who have considered suicide/When the rainbow is enuf Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wuthering Heights Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Count Of Monte Cristo (Unabridged) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Trial Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Dolls House Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Our Town: A Play in Three Acts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Coreyography: A Memoir Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Romeo and Juliet Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Lucky Dog Lessons: From Renowned Expert Dog Trainer and Host of Lucky Dog: Reunions Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Midsummer Night's Dream, with line numbers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Fifth Mountain: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Is This Anything? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Comedy Bible: From Stand-up to Sitcom--The Comedy Writer's Ultimate "How To" Guide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Woman Is No Man: A Read with Jenna Pick Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Shopkeeper Turned Gentlemen aka The Middle-Class Gentleman
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Shopkeeper Turned Gentlemen aka The Middle-Class Gentleman - Molière
The Shopkeeper Turned Gentleman by Molière
aka THE MIDDLE-CLASS GENTLEMAN
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin is better known to us by his stage name of Molière. He was born in Paris, to a prosperous well-to-do family on 15th January 1622.
In 1631, his father purchased from the court of Louis XIII the posts of valet of the King's chamber and keeper of carpets and upholstery
which Molière assumed in 1641. The benefits included only three months' work per annum for which he was paid 300 livres and also provided a number of lucrative contracts.
However in June 1643, at 21, Molière abandoned this for his first love; a career on the stage. He partnered with the actress Madeleine Béjart, to found the Illustre Théâtre at a cost of 630 livres.
Unfortunately despite their enthusiasm, effort and ambition the troupe went bankrupt in 1645.
Molière and Madeleine now began again and spent the next dozen years touring the provincial circuit. His journey back to the sacred land of Parisian theatres was slow but by 1658 he performed in front of the King at the Louvre.
From this point Molière both wrote and acted in a large number of productions that caused both outrage and applause. His many attacks on social conventions, the church, hypocrisy and other areas whilst also writing a large number of comedies, farces, tragicomedies, comédie-ballets are the stuff of legend.
‘Tartuffe’, ‘The Misanthrope’, ‘The Miser’ and ‘The School for Wives’ are but some of his classics.
His death was as dramatic as his life. Molière suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis. One evening he collapsed on stage in a fit of coughing and haemorrhaging while performing in the last play he'd written, in which, ironically, he was playing the hypochondriac Argan, in ‘The Imaginary Invalid’.
Molière insisted on completing his performance.
Afterwards he collapsed again with another, larger haemorrhage and was taken home. Priests were sent for to administer the last rites. Two priests refused to visit. A third arrived too late. On 17th February 1673, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, forever to be known as Molière, was pronounced dead in Paris. He was 51.
Index of Contents
NOTES
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
SCENE: PARIS: Mr. Jourdain’s House
THE SHOPKEEPER TURNED GENTLEMAN aka THE MIDDLE-CLASS GENTLEMAN (LE BOURGEOIS GENTILHOMME)
ACT I
SCENE I
SCENE II
ACT II
SCENE I
SCENE II
SCENE III
SCENE IV
SCENE V
SCENE VI
SCENE VII
SCENE VIII
SCENE IX
ACT III
SCENE I
SCENE II
SCENE III
SCENE IV
SCENE V
SCENE VI
SCENE VII
SCENE VIII
SCENE IX
SCENE X
SCENE XI
SCENE XII
SCENE XIII
SCENE XIV
SCENE XV
SCENE XVI
SCENE XVII
SCENE XVIII
SCENE XIX
SCENE XX
SCENE XXI
ACT IV
SCENE I
SCENE II
SCENE III
SCENE IV
SCENE V
SCENE VI
SCENE VII
SCENE VIII
SCENE IX
SCENE X
SCENE XI
SCENE XII
SCENE XIII
ACT V
SCENE I
SCENE II
SCENE III
SCENE IV
SCENE V
SCENE VI
SCENE VII
BALLET AND DIVERTISSEMENT
MOLIÈRE – A SHORT BIOGRAPHY
MOLIÈRE – A CONCISE BIBLIOGRAPHY
NOTES
'Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme' was acted before the King for the first time at Chambord, on October 14, 1670, and on November 28 at the Palais Royal. After the second representation, Louis XIV. said to Molière, You have never written anything which amused me more, and your play is excellent.
But it obtained a still greater success in Paris, where the bourgeois willingly and good-humouredly laughed at what they deemed their neighbours' weaknesses. The three first acts are the best; Louis XIV. hurried Molière so with the last that they degenerated into burlesque.
Molière acted the part of the Bourgeois.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
MR. JOURDAIN
CLÉONTE, in love with LUCILE
DORANTE, a count, in love with DORIMÈNE
COVIELLE, servant to CLÉONTE
A MUSIC MASTER, ETC
A DANCING MASTER, ETC
A FENCING MASTER
A PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY
A MASTER TAILOR
ASSISTANT TAILORS
TWO LACKEYS
MRS. JOURDAIN
LUCILE, daughter to MR. JOURDAIN
DORIMÈNE, a marchioness
NICOLE, maid-servant to MR. JOURDAIN
SCENE: PARIS: Mr. Jourdain’s House
THE SHOPKEEPER TURNED GENTLEMAN aka THE MIDDLE-CLASS GENTLEMAN (LE BOURGEOIS GENTILHOMME)
ACT I
The overture is played by a great many instruments; and in the middle of the stage the PUPIL of the MUSIC MASTER is seated at a table composing a serenade which MR. JOURDAIN has asked for.
SCENE I
MUSIC MASTER, DANCING MASTER, THREE SINGERS, TWO VIOLIN PLAYERS, FOUR DANCERS.
MUSIC MASTER [To the MUSICIANS]
Come into this room, and rest till he comes.
DANCING MASTER [To the DANCERS]
Come also, on this side.
MUSIC MASTER [To his PUPIL]
Have you finished?
PUPIL
Yes.
MUSIC MASTER
Let me see. Very good.
DANCING MASTER
Is it anything new?
MUSIC MASTER
Yes; it is an air for a serenade that I made him compose while we are waiting for our gentleman to wake up.
DANCING MASTER
Will you allow me to see what it is?
MUSIC MASTER
You shall hear it, as well as the dialogue, when he comes; he won't be long.
DANCING MASTER
We both have plenty to do now; have we not?
MUSIC MASTER
Indeed we have. We have found the very man we both wanted. He brings us in a comfortable little income, with his notions of gentility and gallantry which he has taken into his head; and it would be well for your dancing and my music if everybody were like him.
DANCING MASTER
No; not altogether. I wish, for his sake, that he would appreciate better than he does the things we give him.
MUSIC MASTER
He certainly understands them but little; but he pays well, and that is nowadays what our arts require above all things.
DANCING MASTER
I must confess, for my part, that I rather hunger after glory. Applause finds a very ready answer in my heart, and I think it mortifying enough that in the fine arts we should have to exhibit ourselves before fools, and submit our compositions to the vulgar taste of an ass. No! say what you will, there is a real pleasure in working for people who are able to appreciate the refinements of an art; who know how to yield a kind recognition to the beauties of a work, and who, by felicitous approbations, reward you for your labour. Yes! the most charming recompense one can receive for the things which one does is to see them understood, and to have them received with the applause that honours. Nothing, in my opinion, can repay us better than this for all our fatigues; and the praises of the enlightened are a true delight to me.
MUSIC MASTER
I grant it; and I relish them as much as you do. There is certainly nothing more refreshing than the applause you speak of; still we cannot live on this flattering acknowledgment of our talent. Undiluted praise does not give competence to a man; we must have something more solid to fall back upon, and the best praise is the praise of the pocket. Our man, it is true, is a man of very limited capacity, who speaks at random upon all things, and only gives applause in the wrong place; but his money makes up for the errors of his judgment. He keeps his discernment in his