Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme Summary

Overview

Le Bourgeois gentilhomme is a comedy-ballet by Molière, blending theater and music to satirize social climbing and ignorance among the bourgeoisie, focusing on Monsieur Jourdain's misguided pursuit of nobility and sophistication.

Background and Structure

• Written by Molière in 1670 with music by Jean-Baptiste Lully.
• Originally three acts, later divided into five without content changes.
• Combines spoken scenes with musical and dance interludes.

Main Characters and Premise

• Monsieur Jourdain, the bourgeois gentleman, seeks to adopt the manners of nobility.
• Jourdain is eager to be educated in arts, fencing, philosophy, and etiquette.
• Jourdain is depicted as naive and oblivious to the efforts and value of the artists and teachers around him.

Artistic and Social Satire

• Jourdain's lack of true appreciation for music, dance, and learning is highlighted.
• Teachers argue the superiority of their arts, leading to comedic bickering.
• Jourdain is obsessed with titles and outward appearances, wearing extravagant outfits.

Family and Marriage Plot

• Jourdain’s wife disapproves of his pretensions and urges him to focus on their daughter's future.
• Cléonte loves Jourdain’s daughter, Lucile, but is rejected for not being a noble.
• The family’s social aspirations drive the plot, causing conflict and misunderstandings.

Deceptions and Comic Resolution

• Cléonte and Covielle devise a scheme to appear noble and win Jourdain’s approval.
• Covielle disguises Cléonte as the son of the Grand Turk and orchestrates a fake Turkish ceremony.
• Jourdain is manipulated into approving the marriage, believing Lucile will become a marquise.

Musical and Dance Performances

• Numerous musical scenes and ballets punctuate the narrative, reinforcing the comedy-ballet format.
• The ending features a multicultural musical finale with French, Spanish, and Italian songs.

Themes and Takeaways

• The play satirizes social ambition, pretentiousness, and the lack of self-awareness among those aspiring to higher status.
• Genuine worth and virtue are contrasted with superficial displays and gullibility.
• Humor arises from misunderstandings, cultural parodies, and the blending of art forms.

Decisions

• Approve Lucile and Cléonte’s marriage: Jourdain consents, believing Cléonte is the Turkish prince.

Action Items

• TBD – Jourdain: Continue lessons in arts and etiquette.
• TBD – Covielle: Finalize wedding arrangements for Lucile and Cléonte under the Turkish disguise.