Moliere "The Bourgeois among the Nobility. Reasonable or unreasonable? Essay about Jourdain

Jean Baptiste Moliere.

Born January 15, 1622 in Paris. French comedian, actor, theater figure, reformer of performing arts. Served at the court of Louis XIV. Based on the traditions of folk theater and the achievements of classicism, he created the genre of social comedy, in which slapstick and humor were combined with grace and artistry. Ridiculing the class prejudices of the aristocrats, the narrow-mindedness of the bourgeoisie, the hypocrisy of the nobles, he saw in them a perversion of human nature (“Funny primps”, “Misanthrope”, “The Misanthrope”, “Learned Women”, “The Bourgeois in the Nobility”; “The Imaginary Invalid”), with He exposed hypocrisy with particular intransigence, creating the immortal image of Tartuffe - the comedy “Tartuffe, or the Deceiver.”

Family. The Poquelin family (Molière's real name) belonged to a wealthy merchant class: in 1631, Jean's father received the high official position of royal upholsterer. He gave an excellent education to his eldest son, who from 1636 to 1639 studied at the Jesuit Clermont College in Paris, where the offspring of many noble families were educated. Jean Baptiste knew a lot about wallpaper craft and joined a craft workshop, but his relatives intended him for a legal career: in 1641 he was admitted to the bar.

Parisian period: first plays.

In 1658, the troupe returned to Paris and staged a performance at the Louvre for Louis XIV, who greatly enjoyed Moliere's play The Doctor in Love. The playwright gained his first success with the public in 1659 with the comedy “Funny Primroses,” in which he ridiculed the sweetness and pretentiousness of manners. In 1661, Moliere’s only “correct” play, “Don Garcia of Navarre,” failed, but the productions of “The School for Husbands” and “The Annoyers” at the Palais Royal theater, which now houses the Comédie Française (also known as the “House of Moliere”) turned out to be extremely successful. ).

“School of Wives” The following year, a “pamphlet war” broke out in connection with the presentation of “School of Wives”: the saints saw in it an attack on the principles of Christian education. The play was a huge success: according to a contemporary, “everyone found it pitiful, and everyone was in a hurry to see it.” This meant the emergence of the “double taste” or “double standard” so characteristic of France: either popularity or strict adherence to the “rules”. Moliere was accused of weak intrigue, which in fact is almost primitive. As in many other comedies by Molière, the denouement here is far-fetched. However, the playwright was not at all interested in the ending (almost tragic for Arnolf), but in the “universal” type: an elderly man in love with a young girl and raising her to the delight of his young rival.

Last years of life. Financial difficulties forced Moliere to write five plays in just one season (1667-68): these included “The Reluctant Marriage” and “The Miser.” In 1670, one of the playwright’s most popular comedies appeared, “The Bourgeois in the Nobility,” which is a cheerful farce with an inserted Turkish ballet. The play was immortalized by the figure of M. de Jourdain - a stupid and very funny bourgeois, obsessed with his desire to become “one of his own” in the circle of nobles.

The playwright's stage career ended tragically. In February 1673, The Imaginary Invalid was staged, where Moliere, despite a long-standing serious illness (most likely he had tuberculosis), played the main role. At the fourth performance he collapsed and had to be carried home. He died on the night of February 17-18, without having time to confess and renounce his acting profession. The parish priest forbade him to be buried on consecrated ground: the widow turned to the king for help, and only then was a religious burial allowed.

The work of Moliere.

Moliere's plays received more than 30 thousand performances on the stage of the Comédie Française alone. The French Academy, which neglected the “comedian” during his lifetime, announced a competition for “Praise of Moliere” in 1769 and installed his bust. Moliere became the true creator of the genre of classicist comedy, where the collective hero is countless and immense human delusions, which sometimes turn into mania.

1. Reading scenes 1-2 of Act I How do these scenes prepare the appearance of Mr. Jourdain? What idea do we get of Jourdain's moral character?

The main character of the comedy is Mr. Jourdain. He is rich, but his family confuses him, his origin disgusts him. Jourdain has a great desire to enter the circle of high society. His opinion that money solves everything can be called erroneous. Jourdain is confident that the means will solve the issue of love, titles, knowledge and other issues. The main character is illiterate and uneducated. Therefore, people only pretend that he is smart and educated, in reality they only need his money. Jourdain is very naive and is deceived by almost all people. He is flattered and complimented, and against this background, both teachers and tailors deceive him.

The character looks very funny, especially in those situations when his desire to turn into an aristocrat is manifested. The author of the comedy makes it clear that the main character, with his desire, is emptying his soul of good inclinations. If we take it in general, then the main character is not a fool, he managed to take advantage of his father’s money and, moreover, multiply it. Jourdain also has enough intelligence to understand that his teachers are deceiving him, they are giving him the wrong truths. The truths given to him by his teachers only fetter him and prevent him from developing in the right direction. Jourdain often becomes a reason for ridicule. Even his servants, when they see him, are unable to restrain themselves from laughing. The hero notices this, but it doesn’t matter to him, because he has a goal that not only makes him a laughing stock, but also endangers those around him.

For his environment, which in no way influences his future, in his opinion, success in high society, Jourdain becomes dangerous. His wife may fall under the hot hand, and Jourdain begins to insult and deceive her. Servants are also victims of mistreatment and humiliation. Even a daughter is just a stage that can help Jourdain achieve his goal. The happiness of his daughter is in great danger, but this is not important, it is important to receive the title of aristocrat.

The author of the play, for all Jourdain’s kindness and responsiveness, still presents him as a rude, cynical and illiterate person. Of course, the hero causes laughter, but how can you despise him for this? The author mainly tried to make fun of aristocrats. No matter what the hero is, he adheres to his life line to the last, he does not change his judgment. As a result, we can say about Jourdain that he is too spoiled by a luxurious life and is bored. He is doing something completely unnecessary.

Essay about Jourdain

The main character of the creation “Bourgeois to Nobility” is Mr. Jourdain. Jourdain is a rich man who carefully hides his origins. His bad background prevented him from entering secular society.

The hero believed that money rules everything and you can buy everything with it, including love and a noble upbringing. For his money, the hero hired a large number of teachers who began to teach him the behavior of aristocrats and certain sciences. During his training, the hero managed to expose the shortcomings and ignorance of people from high society. The hero did not have special knowledge and therefore he became a victim of deceivers. Jourdain was deceived by everyone from ordinary teachers to a tailor.

The desire to become a nobleman made Jourdain a real laughing stock. The author showed that thanks to vices people can forget about their good inclinations. Hobbies became the meaning of life for the hero. Jourdain had a special mind that helped him increase his father's fortune. He knew that the tailor was deceiving him, but he did not contradict him. Because the hero really wanted to become an aristocrat. Jourdain also knew that the teachers did not teach him anything. However, the desire to become a noble was stronger than his mind.

Everyone laughed at Jourdain. His wife tried to dissuade her husband from the plan. Tailor Dorant pretended to be a friend, although in his heart he hated him. The hero became a laughing stock even in front of his servants. The reason for the laughter was Jourdain’s ridiculous outfit. His desire to break into the ranks of the nobles becomes dangerous for the people around him. He began to deceive and constantly humiliate his wife. He also began to treat his servants poorly. He even decided to sacrifice his daughter's happiness in order to become an aristocrat.

In the work, the author described Jourdain as a rude and uneducated person. At the same time, the hero was a naive, sincere and good-natured person. After studying certain sciences, the hero began to express himself in prose. His every discovery and action caused only laughter. In the play, the author laughed at the aristocrats and directed the edge of satire against them. Despite the strong desire to get into high society, Jourdain always remained a sincere person, unlike Doriman and Dorant, who have no conscience and honor. Jourdain is a kind and wealthy man who found himself an unnecessary hobby.

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LESSON IN 8th "B" grade on the topic: REASONABLE OR UNREASONABLE? Teacher Zueva Lyudmila Vasilievna.

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Jean Baptiste Moliere. Born January 15, 1622 in Paris. French comedian, actor, theater figure, reformer of performing arts. Served at the court of Louis XIV. Based on the traditions of folk theater and the achievements of classicism, he created the genre of social comedy, in which slapstick and humor were combined with grace and artistry. Ridiculing the class prejudices of the aristocrats, the narrow-mindedness of the bourgeoisie, the hypocrisy of the nobles, he saw in them a perversion of human nature (“Funny primps”, “Misanthrope”, “The Misanthrope”, “Learned Women”, “The Bourgeois in the Nobility”; “The Imaginary Invalid”), with He exposed hypocrisy with particular intransigence, creating the immortal image of Tartuffe - the comedy “Tartuffe, or the Deceiver.”

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Family. The Poquelin family (Molière's real name) belonged to a wealthy merchant class: in 1631, Jean's father received the high official position of royal upholsterer. He gave an excellent education to his eldest son, who from 1636 to 1639 studied at the Jesuit Clermont College in Paris, where the offspring of many noble families were educated. Jean Baptiste knew a lot about wallpaper craft and joined a craft workshop, but his relatives intended him for a legal career: in 1641 he was admitted to the bar.

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First steps in the theatrical field. Around 1641, Jean Baptiste made acquaintances in the acting community: the Italian mime Fiorilli gave him several stage lessons, and the young actress Madeleine Bejart became his mistress. In 1643, he decided to finally connect his fate with the stage and entered into an agreement with Madeleine Bejart to create the “Brilliant Theater”. In the 17th century, the acting profession was considered “mean”, so no one performed on stage under their own name. The pseudonym “Moliere” was first recorded in a document dated January 28, 1644. In 1645, the future comedian was twice in prison due to debts, and the troupe had to leave the capital. The tour of the provinces lasted 12 years: Moliere’s first plays “Naughty, or Everything Is Out of Place” (1655), “Love Spat” (1656) date back to this period. Years of wandering played a significant role in the life of the playwright: he became an excellent actor and director.

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Parisian period: first plays. In 1658, the troupe returned to Paris and staged a performance at the Louvre for Louis XIV, who greatly enjoyed Moliere's play The Doctor in Love. The playwright gained his first success with the public in 1659 with the comedy “Funny Primroses,” in which he ridiculed the sweetness and pretentiousness of manners. In 1661, Moliere’s only “correct” play, “Don Garcia of Navarre,” failed, but the productions of “The School for Husbands” and “The Annoyers” at the Palais Royal theater, which now houses the Comédie Française (also known as the “House of Moliere”) turned out to be extremely successful. ).

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“School of Wives” The following year, a “pamphlet war” broke out in connection with the presentation of “School of Wives”: the saints saw in it an attack on the principles of Christian education. The play was a huge success: according to a contemporary, “everyone found it pitiful, and everyone was in a hurry to see it.” This meant the emergence of the “double taste” or “double standard” so characteristic of France: either popularity or strict adherence to the “rules”. Moliere was accused of weak intrigue, which in fact is almost primitive. As in many other comedies by Molière, the denouement here is far-fetched. However, the playwright was not at all interested in the ending (almost tragic for Arnolf), but in the “universal” type: an elderly man in love with a young girl and raising her to the delight of his young rival.

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"Don Juan" and "The Misanthrope". In 1665, another storm was caused by the production of “Don Juan”: Moliere’s enemies, not content with a temporary ban, did everything possible to finally banish the play from the theater stage, and after 15 performances it was never staged again during the playwright’s lifetime. From a financial point of view, The Misanthrope, staged in 1666, was also unsuccessful. This is one of Moliere's most “mysterious” and polysemantic comedies. Alceste is an honest man who does not find his place in society. He loses the lawsuit, quarrels with his friend Philint, loses his beloved girl Selimene and proudly retires “into the desert” - away from the vicious world. Alceste's desire to reveal the true meaning of social conventions undoubtedly coincides with the position of Moliere himself. At the same time, Alceste is shown not only as an idealist, but also as a mature person who stubbornly refuses to grow up.

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Last years of life. Financial difficulties forced Moliere to write five plays in just one season (1667-68): these included “The Reluctant Marriage” and “The Miser.” In 1670, one of the playwright’s most popular comedies appeared, “The Bourgeois in the Nobility,” which is a cheerful farce with an inserted Turkish ballet. The play was immortalized by the figure of M. de Jourdain - a stupid and very funny bourgeois, obsessed with his desire to become “one of his own” in the circle of nobles. The playwright's stage career ended tragically. In February 1673, The Imaginary Invalid was staged, where Moliere, despite a long-standing serious illness (most likely he had tuberculosis), played the main role. At the fourth performance he collapsed and had to be carried home. He died on the night of February 17-18, without having time to confess and renounce his acting profession. The parish priest forbade him to be buried on consecrated ground: the widow turned to the king for help, and only then was a religious burial allowed.

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The work of Moliere. Moliere's plays received more than 30 thousand performances on the stage of the Comédie Française alone. The French Academy, which neglected the “comedian” during his lifetime, announced a competition for “Praise of Moliere” in 1769 and installed his bust. Moliere became the true creator of the genre of classicist comedy, where the collective hero is countless and immense human delusions, which sometimes turn into mania.

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LESSON PURPOSE: to show the life position of ch. the hero of the comedy Mr. JOURDAIN, his understanding of the purpose of his life using the example of the analysis of I and II acts of the comedy

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1. Reading scenes 1-2 of Act I How do these scenes prepare the appearance of Mr. Jourdain? What idea do we get of Jourdain's moral character? (He is simple-minded, naive, and natural, but at the same time he loves flattery and, most importantly, is going to become like a nobleman).

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Act II, phenomenon 1 Prove that Mr. JOURDAIN is an ignorant person who at all costs wants to be like a noble gentleman?

One of the main directions in Moliere's comedies is the ridicule of the wealthy bourgeoisie and criticism of the rapidly degraded aristocracy. Thus, in his work “The Bourgeois in the Nobility” he creates the image of the tradesman Jourdain, who at all costs wants to become a nobleman. This passion takes over all the thoughts of the hero, becoming an obsession and pushing him to funny, unreasonable actions.
Moliere based the plot on a general trend that was increasingly taking root in the society of the 17th century. This time was characterized by a division into “court” and “city”. Moreover, in the “city” there was a constant tendency towards the “court”. In order to get as close as possible to those from whom their bourgeois origin separated them, the petty bourgeois bought positions, land holdings, and diligently (sometimes to the point of absurdity) mastered all the noble manners, language, morals, clothing style and many other features of the life of high society. But, despite all the efforts of the townspeople, the differences between them and the nobility remained significant. In his comedy, Moliere sought to show the destructive power of the “court” over the minds and actions of the bourgeoisie. And at the same time, his goal was to deprive the nobles of this power, to expose, to show their true low essence, the pettiness of their interests, hidden under the guise of nobility and sophistication, and, consequently, to emphasize the groundlessness of the aspirations of representatives of the philistinism to imitate the high society in everything. The harmful influence of such aspirations can be most clearly seen in the image of the main character of the comedy.
At first, Jourdain's passion for the nobility is simply an innocent weakness. But, as the plot develops, it grows, reaching enormous proportions, expressed in unthinkable, almost manic, actions and judgments. For the hero, the opportunity to get closer to the nobility is the only goal, the highest happiness. He tries to achieve maximum resemblance to representatives of the nobility, and his whole life is spent imitating them in absolutely everything. “Now I dress like nobles dress,” he says boastfully. In addition, Jourdain tries in every possible way to emphasize his imaginary superiority, to flaunt it: “I want to walk around the city in a new suit, but just watch, don’t lag behind a single step, so that everyone can see that you are my lackeys...” Gradually the idea of ​​joining Jourdain is so captivated by secular society that he loses all real understanding of the world and life. He completely loses his mind, causing harm, first of all, to himself with his actions. In his hobby, he reaches complete spiritual baseness, beginning to be ashamed of his loved ones, his parents. He does not pay attention to real values, to true human feelings. His daughter Lucille loves Cleonte with all her heart - a noble young man, honest, truthful, capable of sincere feelings, but not from a noble family. And Jourdain demands that his son-in-law must certainly have a noble origin. This forces Cleont to use a trick - to pass himself off as the son of the Turkish Sultan. As the plot develops, we understand that those around us are increasingly beginning to take advantage of the hero’s weakness for their own selfish purposes. He is fooled by everyone who benefits from it: teachers of music, philosophy, and dance rob him, play along with him in everything, openly flatter him, trying to get rich at his expense. Tailors and various apprentices also deceive him. The hero's gullibility and desire to enter high society are also taken advantage of by the rogue Dorant, an impoverished count who uses Jourdain's mania for his own purposes, seeking to profit at the expense of the simple-minded and naive bourgeois.
In the times about which the author writes, the contrast between the nobility and the bourgeoisie was manifested, first of all, in the high level of noble culture and the low level of development of the bourgeoisie. However, in his thirst for imitation, the hero does not see these obvious differences. He does not realize how comical the claims to secular grace and gloss, culture and education look, against the background of his rudeness, ignorance, vulgarity of language and manners. He is so captivated by his idea that, without any doubt, he agrees to undergo the ridiculous rite of passage into “mamamushi”. And, moreover, he is ready to actually believe in his transformation into some kind of noble person.
Moliere made many discoveries in the field of comedy. Always striving to truthfully depict reality, he created vivid typical characters in his works. So did his master Jourdain. Depicting the life and customs of his contemporary society, reflecting the specifics of the social system, the author expressed his protest and decisive demand for social justice in such a unique form.