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Précieuses
The French literary style called ''préciosité'' (, ''preciousness'') arose in the 17th century from the lively conversations and playful word games of ''les précieuses'' (), the intellectual, witty and educated women who frequented the salon of Catherine de Vivonne, marquise de Rambouillet. Her ''Chambre bleue'' (the "blue room" of her '' hôtel particulier'') offered a Parisian refuge from the dangerous political factionalism and coarse manners of the royal court during the regency of Louis XIV. One of the central figures of the salon that gathered at the ''Hôtel de Rambouillet'' was Madeleine de Scudéry. She wrote voluminous romance novels that embodied the refinements of ''preciosité'' including the concepts of feminine elegance, etiquette and courtly Platonic love that were hugely popular with female audiences, but scorned by most men, including Molière, who satirized the ''précieuses'' in his comedy ''Les Précieuses ridicules'' (1659). The "questions of love" tha ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Les Précieuses Ridicules
''Les Précieuses ridicules'' (, ''The Absurd Précieuses'' or ''The Affected Ladies'') is a one-act satire by Molière in prose. It takes aim at the '' précieuses'', the ultra-witty ladies who indulged in lively conversations, word games and, in a word, ''préciosité'' (preciousness). ''Les Précieuses ridicules'' is a biting comedy of manners that brought Molière and his company to the attention of Parisians, after they had toured the provinces for years. The play received its Paris premiere on 18 November 1659 at the Théâtre du Petit-Bourbon. It seems not to have been staged before that in the provinces. It was highly successful and attracted the patronage of Louis XIV to Molière and company. ''Les Précieuses ridicules'' still plays well today. Plot Magdelon and Cathos are the aspiring ''précieuses'', two young women from the provinces who have come to Paris in search of love and ''jeux d'esprit''. Gorgibus, the father of Magdelon and uncle of Cathos, decides they ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |