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Overview
Synopsis
The Bourgeois Gentleman (Le Bourgeois gentilhomme) is one of Moliere’s best known comedic ballets. It centers around the foolish notions of Monsieur Jourdain, a tradesman who has done well for himself and acquired a large fortune. He aspires to become a proper gentleman and move within the higher circles of society. He has therefore hired various teachers to train him in dancing, music, fencing, and philosophy. They secretly ridicule M. Jourdain but decide to cheat him out of everything they can. M. Jourdain is flattered when the rakish count, Dorante, pretends to be his friend, never realizing that the count is merely after his money so that he can woo the wealthy Marchioness, Doriméne. M. Jourdain is so preoccupied by his desire to be a part of the upper class, he rejects Cléonte as a suitor for his daughter, Lucile, as he is too middle-class. However, the tables are turned when M. Jourdain is fooled by an elaborate plot in which Cléonte disguises himself as Turkish royalty and asks for Lucile’s hand. Monsieur Jourdain is simple enough to be deceived and Lucile happily marries the disguised Cléonte.
Show Information
- Book
- Moliere
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1670
- Genres
- Comedy, Satire
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Paris, France, Seventeenth Century
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher