Don Juan: Comedy in Five Acts, 1665

by Molière, Richard Wilbur (Translator)

Overview

Don Juan, the "Seducer of Seville," originated as a hero-villain of Spanish folk legend, is a famous lover and scoundrel who has made more than a thousand sexual conquests. One of Molière's best-known plays, Don Juan was written while Tartuffe was still banned on the stages of Paris, and shared much with the outlawed play. Modern directors transform Don Juan in every new era, as each director finds something new to highlight in this timeless classic. Richard Wilbur's flawless translation will be the standard for generations to come, as have his translations of Molière's other plays. Witty, urbane, and poetic in its prose, Don Juan is, most importantly, as funny now as it was for audiences when it was first presented.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780547538822
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/27/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	162
File size:	879 KB

About the Author

Molière (1622–1673), born Jean-Baptise Poquelin, was a widely renowned French poet, playwright, and actor.

Molière was a French playwright, actor, and poet. Widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language and universal literature, his extant works include comedies, farces, tragicomedies, comédie-ballets, and more.

Editorial Reviews

This new translation of Moli re's long-suppressed 17th-century prose comedy Don Juan by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Wilbur is an engaging addition to his many translations of Moli re's plays, such as Misanthrope and Tartuffe. Based on folk legend, Don Juan, the "Seducer of Seville," was a charming nobleman completely lacking in scruples who defied both faith and social convention only to suffer damnation in the end. His moral deficiencies are seen through his hideous deeds, which are closely observed and revealed by his valet, Sganarelle. As a social satire, the play implies the bigotry of upper-class French society of the time. The skillful presentation of dialog, especially that of the middle class and peasants, contributes most of the comic effect. Wilbur's translation brings this timeless classic to life for modern English readers and theater audiences. His valuable introduction provides an excellent critical analysis of the play. Recommended for both academic and public libraries.--Ming-ming Kuo, Ball State Univ. Lib., Muncie, IN Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Even if this is a decidedly dark reading, Bartlett also does justice to the play's comedy... Elegant” —Guardian

“This blackly comic Don Juan offers stylish and chilling entertainment.” —Telegraph

From the Publisher