In this Book

buy this book Buy This Book in Print
summary
This book is the first full-length study to examine Molière’s evolving (and at times contradictory) authorial strategies, as evidenced both by his portrayal of authors and publication within the plays and by his own interactions with the seventeenth-century Parisian publishing industry. Historians of the book have described the time period that coincides with Molière’s theatrical activity as centrally important to the development of authors’ rights and to the professionalization of the literary field. A seventeenth-century author, however, was not so much born as negotiated through often acrimonious relations in a world of new and dizzying possibilities. The learning curve was at times steep and unpleasant, as Molière discovered when his first Parisian play was stolen by a rogue publisher. Nevertheless, the dramatist proved to be a quick learner; from his first published play in 1660 until his death in 1673, Molière changed from a reluctant and victimized author to an innovator (or, according to his enemies, even a swindler) who aggressively secured the rights to his plays, stealing them back when necessary. Through such shrewdness, he acquired for himself publication privileges and conditions relatively unknown in an era before copyright. As Molière himself wrote, making people laugh was “une étrange entreprise” (La Critique de L’École des femmes, 1663). To an even greater degree, comedic authorship for the playwright was a constant work in progress, and in this sense, “Molière,” the stage name that became a pen name, represents the most carefully elaborated of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin’s invented characters.

Table of Contents

restricted access Download Full Book
  1. Cover
  2. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Title Page, Copyright Page
  2. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Contents
  2. p. v
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Acknowledgments
  2. pp. vii-viii
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Introduction: The Death of the Author
  2. pp. 1-26
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Chapter One: Molière’s Writers
  2. pp. 27-64
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Chapter Two: The Early Plays and the Pirates Who Loved Them
  2. pp. 65-102
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Chapter Three: Comedic Authorship and Its Discontents
  2. pp. 103-140
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Chapter Four: “Je veux qu’on me distingue”
  2. pp. 141-174
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Chapter Five: The School for Publishers
  2. pp. 175-206
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Chapter Six: Collaboration’s Pyrrhic Triumph
  2. pp. 207-228
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Afterword: The Death of the Actor
  2. pp. 229-248
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Notes
  2. pp. 249-276
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Bibliography
  2. pp. 277-286
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Index
  2. pp. 287-292
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. About the Book
  2. p. 293
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. About the Author
  2. p. 294
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
Back To Top

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Without cookies your experience may not be seamless.