Molière 1622-1673

Tartuffe by Molière ( Book )
1,245 editions published between 1667 and 2011 in 40 languages and held by 2,791 libraries worldwide
Richard Wilbur's verse translation of Tartuffe has been acclaimed as a masterpiece in its own right. Set in rhymed couplets, it captures not only the tone of the original but the dramatic energy as well. Not surprisingly, the play in this translation has been performed regularly over the years. One of Moliere's most popular plays, Tartuffe, written in 1669, tells the story of Orgon, a rich bourgeois who has become a prude and bigot in his middle age. He is the perfect mark for Tartuffe, a wily opportunist and swindler, who ingratiates himself with Orgon by affecting an air of piety. Soon the gulled Orgon not only hands over his fortune but offers his daughter in marriage to Tartuffe. But Orgon discovers his "spiritual" master's true nature in a most shocking and hilarious fashion.

The misanthrope by Molière ( Book )
1,123 editions published between 1658 and 2010 in 26 languages and held by 2,753 libraries worldwide
Alceste begins as a man who loves mankind so much that he cannot brook flattery or hypocrisy and winds up withdrawing from society in defeat. Perhaps Moliere's greatest play and as close to tragedy as comedy can come.

Le bourgeois gentilhomme by Molière ( Book )
1,029 editions published between 1670 and 2011 in 27 languages and held by 2,070 libraries worldwide
A screen adaptation of Moliere's comedy, this is a lively satire on the pretensions of a rich but silly man to the snobberies of the aristocracy.

L'avare by Molière ( Book )
1,476 editions published between 1000 and 2011 in 37 languages and held by 2,063 libraries worldwide
Harpagon est l'incarnation de l'avarice. La fameuse cassette remplie d'or et enterrée dans le jardin qui est l'âme, le coeur, le souffle même de l'avare. Suivi d'un dossier qui propose un état des lieux du théâtre au XVIIe siècle et plus particulièrement de la comédie. Avec une étude thématique autour de l'avarice et une étude stylistique autour du procédé de la répétition au théâtre.

The school for wives; comedy in five acts, 1662 by Molière ( Book )
564 editions published between 1663 and 2010 in 17 languages and held by 2,010 libraries worldwide
Romantic comedy set in 17th-century France with the aged guardian versus young man as suitor of young woman.

Les femmes savantes by Molière ( Book )
876 editions published between 1600 and 2010 in 16 languages and held by 1,838 libraries worldwide
Presentation in French of the play by Molière.

Le malade imaginaire by Molière ( Book )
1,062 editions published between 1673 and 2011 in 26 languages and held by 1,688 libraries worldwide
These comedies are for the young student as well as the seasoned theatregoer. In less than thirty minutes one is given the principal scenes of each play where the voice alone sets the scene.

Don Juan : comedy in five acts, 1665 by Molière ( Book )
711 editions published between 1665 and 2010 in 20 languages and held by 1,637 libraries worldwide
Reproduit le texte de Dom Juan édité à Amsterdam en 1683. C'est la seule version de la pièce de Molière produite sans la "collaboration" de la censure française permettant de préciser tous les passages qui ont été jugés scandaleux et de reconstituer ainsi la version originale.

The misanthrope, and other plays by Molière ( Book )
49 editions published between 1959 and 2010 in English and held by 1,621 libraries worldwide
Translates seven plays of Molière and comments upon the background of each dramatization.

Eight plays by Molière ( Book )
9 editions published in 1957 in English and held by 1,405 libraries worldwide
A collection of 8 complete plays written by the 17th century French author and social critic noted for his development of dramatic comedy.