The Miser

Full Text and Introduction (NHB Drama Classics)

Molière, Martin Sorrell

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9781854597489
• eBook ISBN: 9781780014241
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Drama
• Index: Literature

Drama Classics: The World's Great Plays at a Great Little Price

Molière's story of a covetous old miser, obsessively protecting his hoard of gold and neglecting his long-suffering children.

Harpagon is obsessed with the wealth he has amassed and always ready to save expenses. Now a widower, he has a son, Cléante, and a daughter, Élise. Although he is over sixty, he is attempting to marry his son's own sweetheart, Mariane.

But it seems that Harpagon's pinchpenny paranoia is finally catching up with him – his gold is missing, and this time it might really have disappeared for good...

The Miser was first performed in 1668, at the theatre of the Palais-Royal, Paris.

This English version, in the Nick Hern Books Drama Classic series, is translated and introduced by Martin Sorrell.

ACT ONE

1. VALÈRE, ÉLISE.

VALÈRE. Why the sad face, sweet Élise, when you’ve just declared your love for me? All this sighing, and here’s me, so happy! Are you having second thoughts? Am I rushing you? Don’t you want to marry me?

ÉLISE. No, Valère, I have no regrets, I wouldn’t change a thing, even if I thought I should. It’s so nice, and that’s the trouble. I’m worried I love you too much, and I’m going to come down to earth with an almighty bump.

VALÈRE. Why should you mistrust your feelings?

ÉLISE. Lots of reasons. What my father will say, will my family disapprove, everything, in fact. But what worries me most, Valère, is that I’m scared you’ll change your mind and grow cold and indifferent, the way men do when we put them ‘under too much pressure’.

VALÈRE. Ah, don’t compare me with other men, that’s not fair. Think me capable of anything, Élise, but not of ever failing you. I love you too much for that, and I always will.

ÉLISE. Oh Valère, you all say that! It’s the same old cliché every time. But when you have to act on it, things change.

VALÈRE. Well, if you don’t trust words, then wait until you can judge me by my actions. Don’t be ruled by your fears, don’t condemn me out of hand. Your groundless suspicions are like a sword of Damocles. Please, reserve judgment on me, and I’ll give you proof of my utter sincerity every day.

ÉLISE. How easy it is to be persuaded by those you love! All right, Valère, yes, I do believe you, I do believe you love me, and I don’t think you would ever hurt me. I’m certain you’ll always be faithful to me. I shan’t doubt you any more. But still, I’m going to have to face a barrage of criticism.

VALÈRE. Do you really think so?

ÉLISE. It would be all right if people could see you with my eyes, and could see what I see. I look at you and everything makes sense. The more I discover your marvellous qualities, the more I love you. And as if that wasn’t enough, what you did for me will put me in your debt forever. And what a happy debt! The mortal danger which brought us together, the total disregard you showed for your own safety as you snatched me from the raging sea, the care you took of me once we reached dry land! Your love has been constant, solid as a rock. For me, you’ve even neglected family and patriotic duty! You’ve stayed here, reduced to becoming my father’s steward, hiding your true identity, just to be near me. I know, I’m not blind, that’s why I’m making my commitment to you. But it’s other people who worry me. Will they see things the same way?

VALÈRE. For all the lovely things you’ve said, I want to win you by my love, nothing else. As for your qualms, surely your father’s frankly bizarre behaviour would put everybody on your side. His unbelievable avarice and the privations he subjects his children to more than excuse you. Forgive me, my lovely Élise, for saying this to you. But you know that on this point no discussion is possible. Anyway, one day I hope I’ll find my missing parents, and when I do, we’ll have no difficulty getting their consent. I’m hoping and praying to get news of them. If I don’t hear something soon, I’ll go in search of them myself.

ÉLISE. Valère, please don’t go. Stay here, do everything in your power to get my father on our side.

VALÈRE. That’s what I’m doing. You saw me bow and scrape to get taken onto his staff. Now I go about wearing this sycophantic yes-sir, no-sir mask. It’s all playacting, every single moment, to win him round. I’ve become an expert. I’ve learned that if you want to ingratiate yourself with someone, the trick is to become their mouthpiece, adopt their philosophy of life, indulge their foibles, applaud their every action. Don’t worry that you might be overdoing it and get found out. Each one thinks they’re immune to flattery, but no, it works without fail. They fall for it every time. Stroke them, they purr. It doesn’t matter what outlandish inventions you come up with. True, sincerity goes on the back burner; but when you need people, you have to fit round them, especially if that’s the only way to gain their trust. If people crave flattery, don’t blame the flatterer.

ÉLISE. But don’t you think you should get my brother’s support? In case Dame Claude, my father’s servant, decides to betray our secret?

VALÈRE. I can’t manipulate the father and the son together. They’re so utterly different. I couldn’t get into the confidence of both. But it shouldn’t be difficult for you to convince your brother. You two are so close. That’s him now. I’ll disappear. Tell him what you think he needs to know about us.

ÉLISE. I don’t hold out much hope.

2. CLÉANTE, ÉLISE.

CLÉANTE. Good, you’re alone, Élise. I’m dying to tell you something.

ÉLISE. I’m always ready to listen to my brother. What’s happened, Cléante?

CLÉANTE. So much. Three little words say it all. I’m in love.

ÉLISE. You’re in love?

CLÉANTE. Yes, in love. I’m in love. Before I say more, I know too well that I’m obligated to Father, and being his son, I must respect his wishes. Sons can’t plan their own future. They need the consent of their fathers, who rule them by divine right. We sons can only make choices which suit them. Fathers are better equipped to make balanced judgments because they’re long past first love. They can see what’s in our best interests. I know we’re meant to accept that their wisdom and prudence and shrewdness are better guides than youthful passion, which almost always leads to disaster. I’m telling you this, dear sister, to spare you the bother of telling me yourself. I’d hate to hear it from you. Anyway, love has made me deaf, so, please, no disapproving shakes of the head, no wagging the finger at me.

ÉLISE. Have you already proposed to her?

CLÉANTE. No, but I’m going to. Please don’t tell me not to.

ÉLISE. Of course not.

CLÉANTE. You’re not in love yourself, Élise, so how can you know? Love grips you, there’s nothing to be done, but who cares, it’s wonderful. So, save your breath, Élise. I shan’t listen.

ÉLISE. Oh, surely everyone throws caution to the wind sometimes. If you knew what’s happening here (her heart) you’d think you were a wise old philosopher in comparison.

VALÈRE. I wish you were in the same situation –

ÉLISE. Finish your story. Who is it you’re in love with?

CLÉANTE. She’s new to this part of Paris. It was love at first sight. She’s made to inspire love in anyone who sees her. She’s the most beautiful creature on God’s earth. Her name is Mariane, and she lives with her foster mother, who’s in poor health. Mariane, the sweet thing, takes care of her day and night. She ministers to her every need, she comforts her, suffers with her. Her devotion would melt your heart. Everything she does has something special about it. She is grace personified. She’s sweet and irresistible, she’s goodness and sincerity incarnate, she’s … Oh, I wish you’d seen her, Élise.

ÉLISE. It’s as though I had, you paint such a picture. And if my brother loves her, that’s enough for me.

CLÉANTE. I’ve discovered they have money problems. Even though they’re very careful, it’s a struggle. But, Élise, think of the pleasure there’d be in helping someone you love, in supporting – anonymously – a decent, honest family. Then think what it’s like to know there’s nothing to be done, thanks to our father’s meanness. It’s pleasure denied me. I can’t even show Mariane I’m ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• For Further Reading
• Molière: Key Dates
• Characters
• Act One
• Act Two
• Act Three
• Act Four
• Act Five
• Copyright and Performing Rights Information