The Miser: (L’Avare)

“”The Miser”” (L’Avare) by Molière is a classic comedy that centers around Harpagon, a stingy old man obsessed with hoarding his wealth. His miserly ways create conflict within his family and community, leading to a series of humorous and chaotic situations. Harpagon’s desire to marry a young woman, Mariane, clashes with his son Cléante’s love for her. Meanwhile, his daughter Elise wishes to marry Valère, who disguises his true identity to gain Harpagon’s approval. Through clever schemes and mistaken identities, the play humorously critiques greed and its impact on human relationships, ultimately revealing the folly of valuing money over people. Molière (1622-1673), born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, was a renowned French playwright and actor. Known for his sharp wit and incisive social commentary, Molière’s works, including “”Tartuffe,”” “”The Misanthrope,”” and “”Don Juan,”” critique the hypocrisies of 17th-century French society. His innovative use of comedy to address social issues has made his plays enduring classics in world literature. Charles Heron Wall (1836-1905) was a British translator and scholar known for his translations of French literature, particularly the works of Molière. His translations are praised for their accuracy and ability to convey the humor and nuances of the original texts to English-speaking audiences. —- ISBN: 9798334431492