Molière's Comic Resistance: New Pléiade Edition of Complete Works

A new two-volume Pléiade edition of Molière's complete works, edited by Georges Forestier with Claude Bourqui, has been published by Gallimard. The edition succeeds the 1971 version and is considerably enriched. In an accompanying essay, Jacques Henric argues that Molière used comedy as a strategic response to the horrors of 17th-century France, including public executions, religious censorship, and absolutism. Henric draws parallels between Molière's era and contemporary society, noting that despite claims of sexual liberation, taboos persist. He highlights Molière's 'art of wrapping filth in gauze' to evade censors, as described by contemporary Chapelain. The article references the persecution of libertine writers like Théophile de Viau (died in prison at 36) and Vanini (burned alive in 1619), and notes that Molière's plays such as 'L'École des femmes,' 'Tartuffe,' and 'Don Juan' faced accusations of being 'diabolical' and 'sacrilegious.' Henric suggests that censorship actually boosted public interest. He also cites Michel Jeanneret's 2003 essay 'Éros rebelle' as a key reference on 17th-century libertinism.