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TARTUFFE: Know-The-Show Guide The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2018 TARTUFFE: Know-the-Show Guide Tartuffe By Molière Translated by Richard Wilbur Know-the-Show Audience Guide researched and written by the Education Department of Artwork by Scott McKowen The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2018 TARTUFFE: Know-the-Show Guide In this Guide – Tartuffe: An Introduction ........................................................................................................... 2 – The Life of Molière .................................................................................................................... 4 – Richard Wilbur, Translator ......................................................................................................... 7 – Tartuffe: A Short Synopsis .......................................................................................................... 8 – Who’s Who in the Play ............................................................................................................. 9 – Molière’s France ..................................................................................................................... 10 – Chronology of Major Events in Molière’s Life .......................................................................... 11 – Molière’s Theatrical Style ........................................................................................................ 12 – Alexandrine Verse ................................................................................................................... 14 – The Major Works of Molière ................................................................................................... 14 – Quotable Molière .................................................................................................................. 15 – Miraculous Happy Endings! Deus Ex Machina ....................................................................... 15 – Commentary & Criticism ........................................................................................................ 16 – In This Production ................................................................................................................... 17 – Explore Online ....................................................................................................................... 18 – Sources & Further Reading ...................................................................................................... 19 Tartuffe is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. 1 The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2018 TARTUFFE: Know-the-Show Guide THE BANNING OF TARTUFFE religious men in power that it was banished from “Tartuffe was first performed on May the public stage for half a 12,1664, at Versailles in front of Louis decade. XIV and his court. It was immediately Tartuffe:An Introduction suppressed; although the King approved of Tartuffe centers on a the play without reservations and was, in fact, a staunch champion of Molière, the In 1664, a play was performed that was considered so blasphemous middle-aged family man, religious right wing (led by the Company of and so offensive that it was closed immediately following its opening Orgon, who takes into performance by a select group of powerful officials and clergy. Its the Holy Sacrament, which included some his home a man that he of the most powerful men in France) banned author, dubbed “a devil in human flesh,” was so hated for the believes to be incredibly free performances in public theatres for the scandalous views he seemed to have presented in the play that many pious. The guest, a con man next five years. Even so, in 1667, Molière of the people in power attempted to have him run out of town. Though named Tartuffe, turns out produced it again under the title of The these attempts failed, his theater was closed and later demolished to be anything but pious. Imposteur (adding two acts and changes) by critics of his work. The scandal surrounding the play only served Rather, he is discovered to during the King’s absence at the siege of Lille, whereupon it was immediately stopped to increase the public’s interest in it. Secret readings of the play be a lascivious and self- and further showings were forbidden. began to pop up in private homes throughout Paris. In response, the serving man, who uses his offended clergy declared that anyone Over the next year and a half, the play was welcome to con his foolish doubtless the talk of the court and town, and found performing, reading, or viewing host out of house and home, many performances and readings of it were any production of the play would be all in the name of religious given at private homes. However, it was not immediately excommunicated. What was piety. With its hypocritical until 1669 that the ban was lifted and the this play? Was it an outright attack of the titular character, Tartuffe play was freely performed in the form in which we have it today.” King? Did it decry the political decisions was perceived as an attack Percy Addison Chapman, made by men in power? Was it a tell-all of on both the church and The Spirit of Molière the sinful acts of the court or church? Did men of religion, and it made it denounce God? It was none of these Molière a pariah in certain things. circles. The play was Molière’s Tartuffe, a witty From its first presentation in May of 1664, Molière’s scathing satirical tale of a hypocritical con artist comedy has invoked both riotous laughter and severe criticism. and the fool who blindly falls under his Considered to be one of the greatest French playwrights and an spell, and it so disturbed many of the exceptional comic theatre artist, Molière’s keen sense of timing, Artwork by Scott McKowen. 2 The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2018 TARTUFFE: Know-the-Show Guide witty dialogue, and rich social commentary have left audiences rolling in the aisles for centuries. Despite their popular appeal, most of his MOLIÈRE ON TARTUFFE’S CRITICS plays met with some form of vicious criticism. Many of them satirized prominent social or political figures. None of Molière’s other works, “I have no doubt, your Majesty, that the people however, brought about the level of fervor from his opponents that was I paint in my comedy will use all their influence inspired by Tartuffe. against me…Whatever face they put on it, it is not the interest of God which moves them. They For some, religious hypocrisy may seem an unusual topic for a comedy, have shown this well enough by attending other but not for Molière. He believed that the purpose of theatre was first comedies of which they approve. Those comedies and foremost to entertain. Secondarily, comedies were meant to attacked piety and religion itself, which they do instruct the audience how to be better citizens; in this case, by showing not care much for. But this one [Tartuffe] attacks them what not to do. Molière used the art of theatrical comedies to them, and shows them for what they are. And unmask social pretenses and to present men as they truly were. His that, they cannot stand. They will never forgive work elevated comedies — previously considered lesser, insignificant me.” entertainments — to a level of respect formerly reserved for only the great tragedies. MOLIÈRE’S PREFACE TO TARTUFFE When seeing Tartuffe, there are many lenses through which to view the play. The collection of dramaturgical information “If the purpose of comedy is to correct men’s vices, I do not see why any included in this guide highlights historical and social issues group of men should have special privileges. If this were so, it would have that will help one understand the context in which the play was a far more dangerous social consequence than all the other vices, and we written. We encourage you to take advantage of as much of this have seen that the theatre’s great virtue is its ability to correct vices. The material as you are able. It is important, however, to keep in mind most beautiful expression of a serious moral is most often less powerful Molière’s first and foremost notion of his work: than that of satire; and nothing reforms the majority of men better than the portrayal of their faults. To expose vices to everyone’s laughter is to deal “Isn’t the great rule of all rules simply to please, and them a mighty blow. People easily endure reproofs, but they cannot at all hasn’t a play that has achieved this goal done what is endure being made fun of. People have no objection to being considered appropriate for it to do?” wicked, but they are not willing to be considered ridiculous.” Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, a.k.a. Molière Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, a.k.a. Molière Translated from the French by Richard Kerr. 3 The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2018 TARTUFFE: Know-the-Show Guide The Life old. Shortly after her death, his father remarried. Catherine Fleurette, his second wife, died three years later. At 15, Jean-Baptiste was left Molière alone with his father; a man whose business provided little interest to the imaginative boy. of The elder Poquelin’s shop was located very near two important theatrical Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, sites of the day: the Hôtel de Bourgogne and the Pont- Neuf. The Pont- popularly known by his Neuf was not a theatre in any traditional sense. It was, actually, a street stage name Molière, was a and bridge on which local comedians performed antics, short plays and French playwright who is now farces as an enticement for the crowds to purchase the medicines they considered one of the
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