Les Précieuses Ridicules (Play) Plot & Characters

Overview

Synopsis

Les Précieuses Ridicules follows the misguided sentiments and affectations of two young ladies from the French provinces. Madelon and her cousin, Cathos, have arrived in Paris from the country and Madelon’s father, Gorgibus, is keen to find them husbands as soon as possible. However, they have been brainwashed by absurd, romantic ideas about courtship and suitors, much to Gorgibus�� frustration. He is astounded when they reject the advances of two noblemen, La Grange and Du Croisy, and becomes enraged by their silly reasoning. However, Gorgibus�� embarrassment does not end there. Determined to teach the young ladies a lesson, La Grange and Du Croisy arrange for their valets to disguise themselves as ridiculous, wealthy courtiers who come to woo Madelon and Cathos. When the women are firmly under their spell, La Grange and Du Croisy reveal their deception and ridicule Madelon and Cathos for their pretentious affectation. Gorgibus�� is ashamed by the family’s disgrace and curses the ladies�� foolishness and naivety.

Les Précieuses Ridicules was the first of Molière's plays to mock the rules and customs of the strict Académie Française and satirize societal mannerisms and affectations which were then common in France.

Show Information

Book: Moliere

Category: Play

Age Guidance: Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)

Number of Acts: 1

First Produced: 1659

Genres: Comedy, Satire

Settings: Period, Unit/Single Set

Time & Place: Paris, Seventeenth Century

Cast Size: medium

Licensor: None/royalty-free

Ideal For: College/University, Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Lead Characters

View all characters in Les Précieuses Ridicules

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name	Part Size	Gender	Vocal Part
Madelon	Lead	Female	Spoken
Cathos	Lead	Female	Spoken
Gorgibus	Supporting	Male	Spoken
La Grange	Supporting	Male	Spoken
Du Croisy	Supporting	Male	Spoken
Marquis de Mascarille	Supporting	Male	Spoken
Viscount de Jodelet	Supporting	Male	Spoken
Almanzor	Featured	Male	Spoken
Marotte	Featured	Female	Non-singer
Neighbors (Celimene and Lucille)	Ensemble	Female	Spoken, Silent
Chair Porters	Ensemble	Male	Spoken

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

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