ISBN The Misanthrope Tartuffe and Other Plays 400 pages English

Why does he write those ghastly plays that the whole of Paris flocks to see? And why does he paint such lifelike portraits that everyone recognizes themselves?' Moliere The Impromptu at Versailles This volume brings together four of Moliere's greatest verse comedies covering the best years of his prolific writing career. Actor director and playwright Moliere (1622-73) was one of the finest and most influential French dramatists adept at portraying human foibles and puncturing pomposity. The School for Wives was his first great success; Tartuffe condemned and banned for five years his most controversial play. The Misanthrope is his acknowledged masterpiece and The Clever Women his last and perhaps best-constructed verse piece. In addition this collection includes a spirited attack on his enemies and a defence of his theatre in the form of two sparkling short plays The School for Wives Criticized and The Impromptu at Versailles. Moliere's prose plays are available in a complementary Oxford World's Classics edition Don Juan and Other Plays. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features including expert introductions by leading authorities helpful notes to clarify the text up-to-date bibliographies for further study and much more.