Molière produced in all some thirty dramatic pieces, from among which we select a few of the most celebrated for brief description and illustration.
The "Bourgeois Gentilhomme" ("Shopkeeper turned Gentleman") partakes of the nature of the farce quite as much as it does of the comedy. But it is farce such as only a man of genius could produce. In it Molière ridicules the airs and affectations of a rich man vulgarly ambitious to figure in a social rank too exalted for his birth, his breeding, or his merit. Jourdain is the name under which Molière satirizes such a character. We give a fragment from one of the scenes. M. Jourdain is in process of fitting himself for that higher position in society to which he aspires. He will equip himself with the necessary knowledge. To this end he employs a professor of philosophy to come and give him lessons at his house:—
M. Jourdain. I have the greatest desire in the world to be learned; and it vexes me more than I can tell, that my father and mother did not make me learn thoroughly all the sciences when I was young.
Professor of Philosophy. This is a praiseworthy feeling. Nam sine doctrina vita est quasi mortis imago. You understand this, and you have, no doubt, a knowledge of Latin?
M. Jour. Yes; but act as if I had none. Explain to me the meaning of it.
Prof. Phil. The meaning of it is, that, without science, life is an image of death.
M. Jour. That Latin is quite right.
Prof. Phil. Have you any principles, any rudiments, of science?
M. Jour. Oh, yes! I can read and write.
Prop. Phil. With what would you like to begin? Shall I teach you logic?