The Love-Tiff Book

This is the fourth play in the Molière anthology that I am reading to help with learning French. The anthology is roughly chronological but one piece seems to be in the wrong place. Either way, this is the fullest piece by moliere that I have read thus far.

The plot is complicated in the best, 17th century theater sort of way. Characters are doing things with hidden motivations for one another, there is a disguise, things escalate and grand physical conflict looms.

As with the other Molière I have read, I felt that the play seemed to wrap up very quickly. It is my only real criticism. For comparison to Molière, I only really know Shakespeare as an entire body of work. I don't feel that as many Shakespeare plays wrapped up so quickly although many were often guilty of finishing with a nice neat little bow. I believe this may be characteristic of comedies, but I'm not sure. I know that Shakespeare's reputation as a playwrite may be greater than Molière's, but Molière is certainly a giant.

I am obviously in a bit of awe at what I'm reading. The plays seem to have just existed always and do not seem like they were written. That someone could do what Molière does with his characters is a marvel.