"The tradesman in the nobility", Molière. Summary of the play

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

So, we have Molière on the agenda. "The tradesman in the nobility" is a book written by the author based on a real and quite anecdotal case. The Turkish ambassador, who was at the court of Louis XIV, had the imprudence to notice that there were more precious stones on the horse of the king than on the monarch himself. For several days, the offender was under house arrest. Then he was sent home, and in order to take revenge on Porta, a parody of the ceremonial adopted in Turkey was staged in the courtyard.

"The tradesman in the nobility", Molière. Summary of Act 1

Music and dance teachers are waiting for Mr. Jourdain. He called them both to decorate a dinner in honor of an important person. Jourdain decided to become like the masters. The teachers like both the pay and the owner's treatment, but they feel that he lacks taste. For some time now, he has been trying to do everything in the same way as noble gentlemen. The household is also experiencing a lot of inconvenience because of his desire to certainly become a nobleman. He orders a dressing gown for himself, and liveries for the servants, so that it would be like in noble houses. Jourdain also decided to study dance and music.

"The tradesman in the nobility", Molière. Summary of Act 2

Teachers quarrel: everyone wants to prove that only with his help Jourdain will reach the goal. A shabby philosophy teacher starts the lesson. They decide to put logic and ethics aside and move on to spelling. Jourdain asks to write a love note to a lady. At the age of forty, he is surprised to learn that there are poems, but there is also prose. The tailor brings the master a new suit. It is sewn, of course, according to the latest fashion. Jourdain notices that the tailor's clothes are made from his own fabric. But the apprentices “spread out” in front of him so much that the master was generous even with a tip.

"The tradesman in the nobility" Molière. Summary of Act 3

The new outfit makes the maid Nicole laugh. But Jourdain is still eager to walk around the city in it. The wife is not happy with the whims of her husband. She considers spending on teachers unnecessary, she does not see the use of his friendship with the nobles, since they perceive him only as a cash cow. But Jourdain does not listen to her. Moreover, he is secretly in love with the Marquise Dorimena, with whom Count Dorant brought him together. And a diamond, and ballet, and fireworks, and dinner - all this for her. When Madame Jourdain goes to visit her sister, he plans to host the Marquise. Nicole overheard something and passed it on to the lady. She did not notice anything, since her head was occupied by her daughter Lucille. The girl sends Nicole to Cleont to say that she agrees to marry him. The maid does not hesitate, as she herself is in love with his servant and even hopes that their wedding will take place on the same day.day. Jourdain does not give consent to the marriage of his daughter, since Cleont is not a nobleman. The wife, admonishing her husband, says that it is better to choose a rich and honest son-in-law than a poor nobleman, who will later reproach Lucille with the fact that she is not of a noble family. But to convince Jourdain is almost impossible. Then Coviel offers to play a joke on him.

"The tradesman in the nobility", Molière. Summary of Act 4

Dorimena and Dorant come to Jourdain. The count himself was in love with the marquise and attributed all the gifts and luxurious receptions to himself. Therefore, he teaches a “friend” that it is indecent in society to even hint to a lady about his presents and feelings. Madame Jourdain suddenly returns. Now she understands where her husband's money went. She reproaches Dorant for following Jourdain's lead. The Count says that it was he who spent everything. Offended, Dorimena leaves. The couple continues to argue. At that moment, Coviel arrives, a servant of Cleont in disguise. He introduces himself as an old friend of Jourdain's father and reports that he was a nobleman. Of course, the tradesman fell for this hook. He is delighted with the fact that he is a hereditary nobleman, and hurries to announce this news to everyone. In addition, it turned out that the son-in-law of Jourdain wants to become the son of the Turkish Sultan himself. Only for this newly-minted nobleman needs to be promoted to "mamamushi". Jourdain is not worried about the upcoming ceremony, but the stubbornness of his daughter. Actors disguised as Turks appear, and Cleont himself. They speak some kind of gibberish language, but this does not bother the tradesman at all. Dorant, at the request of Covel, participates in the draw.

Molière, "The tradesman in the nobility". Summary of Act 5

Dorant invites Dorimena to Jourdain's house to see a funny spectacle. The Marquise decides to marry the Count in order to stop his extravagance. Cleont arrives disguised as a Turk. Lucille recognizes him as her lover and agrees to the marriage. Only Madame Jourdain resists. Everyone gives her signs, but she stubbornly ignores them. Then Coviel takes her aside and says bluntly that everything is set up. They sent for a notary. Jourdain gives Covel (the interpreter) the maid Nicole as his wife. The marquise and count intend to use the services of the same notary. While waiting for him, everyone watches the ballet.