Molière et Shakespeare

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stapfer, Paul, 1840-1917

Language:

French

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Molière et Shakespeare" by Paul Stapfer is a critical examination of the two greatest figures in modern theater, written in the late 19th century. This work delves into the contrasting styles and impacts of Molière and Shakespeare, emphasizing their unique contributions to the realm of comedy and tragedy, respectively. It particularly addresses the critiques from German literary circles that often favor Shakespeare over Molière, arguing for the universal significance and genius of Molière's work. The opening of the text introduces the author's motivation rooted in ongoing debates about the merits of Molière in contrast to Shakespeare. Stapfer reflects on the German critic Wilhelm Schlegel's opinions, which assert that while Shakespeare exemplifies true comedy, Molière's works are merely prosaic. He critiques this viewpoint by highlighting the richness of Molière's characters and themes, indicating his intent to demonstrate that both poets are masters of their craft. The beginning sets the stage for a critical exploration of the definitions of comedy, the absurdities of literary criticism, and the enduring relevance of Molière's work in the face of prevailing critical bias. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Laura Natal Rodriguez & Marc D'Hooghe (Images generously made available by Europeana and the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 71.3 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Release date is 2016-03-20