PREFACE

As this edition of one of Molière's masterpieces differs considerably from those which have gone before, I may perhaps be allowed to state what principles have guided me in making it. A lengthy experience, as teacher and examiner, has shown me that most students and pupils of senior forms lack the knowledge not merely of the genre to which a text belongs, but also of the history-literary, social, and political -necessary for even a fair comprehension of the text. It seemed, therefore, good to make an attempt to supply that information in as concise a form as possible. Much of such information has always been available in the notes, but notes have the disadvantage of offering no connected or interesting whole. I decided, therefore, first to give as picturesque a sketch as I could of the world in which Molière lived, since his comedy is so closely connected with that world. I next decided to supply an outline of the development of comedy as a literary genre, and not to trace its growth by stock explanations, but by the analysis of such plays as might furnish concrete examples. By this examination I have endeavoured to show how Molière arrived at the choice of just those elements which he considered suitable for comedy. Lastly, I have discussed L'Avare briefly as a work of art.

Since the tendency of the study of languages has set against mere translation and in the direction of careful text explanation, for which it is necessary to tear away every veil between the author and the reader, it seemed imperative to

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supply such information of life, manners, and art as might form the basis of such an explanation. Knowing what slight attention is usually paid to the notes, I have reduced these to the smallest proportions and carefully eliminated all matter which may be readily obtained in the ordinary school dictionary and grammar. In the Appendix will be found a few examples of the works Molière drew upon for this play, and after the Notes a short list of books for the benefit of those who may desire to increase their knowledge of the matter dealt with in the Introduction.

It might be well to state for the guidance of my critics that I have not attempted to produce a work of erudition, and where my remarks might seem to savour of the obviousexperience has taught me that it is often to the obvious that attention needs to be called.

I am much indebted to the Publications Committee of the Manchester University Press for allowing me to carry out my ideas, and to Professor Kastner for much helpful criticism.

SHEFFIELD, November 1917.

A. T. B.