L'École des femmes

The School for Wives

Author

Molière

Language

French

Year

1662

Country

France

Genre

Drama / Theatre / Plays

early modern europeenlightenmentcomediesneoclassical

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The School for Wives is a theatrical comedy written by the seventeenth-century French playwright Molière and considered by some critics to be one of his finest achievements. It was first staged at the Palais Royal theatre on 26 December 1662 for the brother of the King. The play depicts a character who is so intimidated by femininity that he resolves to marry his young, naïve ward and proceeds to make clumsy advances to this purpose. It raised some outcry from the public and established Molière as a bold playwright who would not be afraid to write about controversial issues. In June 1663, the playwright cunningly responded to the uproar with another piece entitled La Critique de L'École des femmes, which provided some insight into his unique style of comedy.