Controversy in French Drama : Molière’s Tartuffe and the Struggle for Influence

## Acknowledgments ix A Note on Translations xi This book has been a long time in the making, and numerous people have helped it along its way. These include my colleagues and friends at Yale University, where the project was begun, and those at the University of St Andrews, where it was completed: my heartfelt thanks to all of you. I am especially grateful to Roy Dilley and Nick Hammond, who read and commented on a draft of the manuscript from their respective and complementary perspectives; to Sarah Townshend, who ably checked numerous references, proofread the manuscript, and found the fabulous image that appears on the cover; to Angela Konrad of Trinity Western University, who tracked down and made available a high-quality version of that image; to Dana Kostroun, who helped me get to grips with Jansenism and who read and commented on Chapter 5; to Russell Goulbourne, who is always ready to respond to any query, however obscure, that I can throw at him; and to Dave Evans and Sam Bootle, who scrutinized and improved upon my translations. Finally, I would like to thank Erica Buchman and Robyn Curtis of Palgrave for their patience, good humor, and support throughout the process. "Elegantly written, thoroughly engaging, and highly accessible to non-specialists, Controversy in French Drama systematically uncovers the power of Moliere's Tartuffe to scandalize and delight audiences, not only in its original historic context (so masterfully drawn here), but also through the centuries to today. It is essential reading for all those interested in Moliere and French classical theatre and culture."--Larry F. Norman, Professor of French and Theatre and Performance, University of Chicago, USA, and author of Moliere and the Social Commerce of Depiction and The Shock of the Ancient: Literature and History in Early Modern France "Julia Prest presents a precisely detailed and subtly argued examination of the religious and political context of the 'querelle de Tartuffe'. Carefully considering the contemporary meaning of 'zealotry' and 'hypocrisy', she gives a fascinating account of the power-play between the young King and his religious advisors, together with rare insights into the secret workings of the Compagnie du Saint-Sacrement, thereby casting new light on the controversy surrounding this most popular of works." - Jan Clarke, Professor of French, Durham University, UK "In a crystal-clear and vivid style, Julia Prest sheds new light on Moliere's Tartuffe controversy (1664-1669). Re-reading Tartuffe alongside Bossuet's sermons and Louis XIV's memoirs, she enlightens the ferocious struggle that opposed religious and lay conceptions of the State in France and brilliantly re-examines the famous debate on hypocrisy. A highly stimulating historical and political evaluation of Moliere's masterwork." - Gilles Declercq, Professor and Director of the Drama Research Center, Universite Sorbonne Nouvelle, France "In 1664, Molière's 'Tartuffe' was banned from public performance. This book provides a detailed, in-depth account of the five-year struggle (1664-69) to have the ban lifted and, so doing, sheds important new light on 1660s France and the ancien régime more broadly. By drawing on theatrical and non-theatrical writings (including contemporary sermons, treatises, and memoirs), it changes the terms of the debate by challenging received notions regarding the opposition between the sincere believer (vrai dévot) and the hypocrite (faux dévot). 'Tartuffe' was a key locus for the struggle for influence among competing political and religious factions during the early reign of Louis XIV, and the lifting of the ban in 1669 is understood as an act of political assertion on the part of an increasingly confident king."-- taken from back cover In 1664, Molière's Tartuffe was banned from public performance. This book provides a detailed, in-depth account of the five-year struggle (1664-69) to have the ban lifted and, so doing, sheds important new light on 1660s France and the ancien régime more broadly. By drawing on theatrical and non-theatrical writings (including contemporary sermons, treatises, and memoirs), it changes the terms of the debate by challenging received notions regarding the opposition between the sincere believer (vrai dévot) and the hypocrite (faux dévot). Tartuffe was a key locus for the struggle for influence among competing political and religious factions during the early reign of Louis XIV, and the lifting of the ban in 1669 is understood as an act of political assertion on the part of an increasingly confident king. (Publisher's website) In 1664, Moliere's "Tartuffe" was banned from public performance. This book provides a detailed, in-depth account of the five-year struggle (1664-69) to have the ban lifted and, so doing, sheds important new light on 1660s France and the ancien řgime more broadly. By drawing on theatrical and non-theatrical writings (including contemporary sermons, treatises, and memoirs), it changes the terms of the debate by challenging received notions regarding the opposition between the sincere believer ("vrai ďvot") and the hypocrite ("faux ďvot"). Tartuffe was a key locus for the struggle for influence among competing political and religious factions during the early reign of Louis XIV, and the lifting of the ban in 1669 is understood as an act of political assertion on the part of an increasingly confident king Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-5 The Struggle for Influence....Pages 7-33 What Is a Faux Dévot?....Pages 35-73 What Is a Faux Dévot?....Pages 75-105 What Is a Vrai Dévot and Is He a Véritable Homme de Bien?....Pages 107-135 The Struggle for Influence....Pages 137-190 Conclusion....Pages 191-197 Back Matter....Pages 199-247