Every country has their own set of heroes, whether they be soldiers, leaders, writers, artists, actors, or scientists. The art of theater was one highly celebrated during the 17th century, and while there were many dramatic playwrights beloved in France, there was one comedic writer and actor who stole the show: Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, also known as Molière. He wrote both drama and comedy, but it really was the latter which rose him to fame in Paris. He started out as an actor and often starred in his own plays, and he found great success from his patron, the Duke of Orléans, Louis XIV's brother Philippe. Humorous and intelligent, Molière is still considered one of the literary French giants and still commonly read today.
Richard Wilbur is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, and a former Poet Laureate, so you know going into his translation of Molière's famous works that this is a writer who knows what he's doing. Over the years Wilbur has published several translations of Molière's plays, and just recently he has added two excellent new editions of the French writer's famous comedies: Lover's Quarrels, The School for Husbands, and The Imaginary Cuckold.
First there is the paperback edition of Lover's Quarrels, originally titled Le Dépit amoureux in French, and it comes with the one-act play along with an introduction by Wilbur and an interview with him about Molière. Lover's Quarrels is about two sets of lovers, deception, confusion, honor, and romance. Not unlike some Shakespearean tales, it involves a young woman dressed as a man unable to express her feelings to the object of her affection. Years ago, Albert was promised a massive fortune if his wife birthed a son, so when she instead had a daughter he replaced the girl with a servant's son. Some time later, the boy died while he was away and his wife switched the babies back, thus raising their real daughter as a son named Ascagne. Albert never knew the truth and felt true guilt when he believed his daughter died, not knowing she had actually replaced the son.
Yes, it is a little confusing, but things get more so!
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