This play was acted for the first time on September 9, 1668. In it,Molière has borrowed from Plautus, and has imitated several otherauthors, but he far surpasses them in the treatment of his subject.The picture of the miser, in whom love of money takes the place of allnatural affections, who not only withdraws from family intercourse,but considers his children as natural enemies, is finely drawn, andrenders Molière's Miser altogether more dramatic and moral than thoseof his predecessors.
Molière acted the part of Harpagon.
Harpagon, father toCléante, in love withMarianne.
Cléante,Harpagon's son, lover toMarianne.
Valère,son to Anselme,and lover to Élise.
Anselme, father toValère andMarianne.
Master Simon, broker.
Master Jacques, cook and coachman toHarpagon.
La Flèche, valet toCléante.
Brindavoine,and La Merluche,lackeys to Harpagon.
A Magistrate and hisClerk.
Élise,daughter to Harpagon.
Marianne,daughter to Anselme.
Frosine, an intriguing woman.
Mistress Claude,servant to Harpagon.
The scene is at Paris,in Harpagon's house.
Val.What, dear Élise! you grow sad after having given me such deartokens of your love; and I see you sigh in the midst of my joy! Canyou regret having made me happy? and do you repent of the engagementwhich my love has forced from you?
Eli.No, Valère, I do not regret what I do for you; I feel carried onby too delightful a power, and I do not even wish that things shouldbe otherwise than they are. Yet, to tell you the truth, I am veryanxious about the consequences; and I greatly fear that I love youmore than I should.
Val.What can you possibly fear from the affection you have shown me?
Eli.Everything; the anger of my father, the reproaches of my family,the censure of the world, and, above all, Valère, a change in yourheart! I fear that cruel coldness with which your sex so often repaysthe too warm proofs of an innocent love.
Val.Alas! do not wrong me thus; do not judge of me by