A Translation of Charles Palissot's Comedy The Philosophers
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Authors
Cartieri, Ronald M.
Issue Date
1977
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
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Abstract
The Philosophers was the most popular of the works
of the eighteenth century playwright, Charles Palissot.
Written in verse form, the play is an unmitigated attack
on la philo sophie and its disciples. But it is a much
more capricious than any of the comedies of Molire,
whose structure his play imitates. Indeed, Palissot's
literary ability can hardly compete with that of les
grands ecrivains of the Enlightenment. Palissot was, however,
one of the harshest social critics of his lifetime
(1730-1814). His pen was not a sword, but rather a
poison-tipped arrow that hits with a rude directness.
Consider, for example, his reference to Rousseau in the
personage of Crispin. The latter enters the stage on
all fours and declares that he has chosen to "me renferme
dans le monde animale" rather than live among fools, the
sight of whom makes his eyes sore. As Cydalise, the
ultimate victim of the philosophers, remarks. "At least
his approach is original." And no doubt shocking as well,
this 'bete' who carries his food, a head of lettuce, in his
pocket! Indeed, the effect is as harsh as the author
wishes it to be , even if it is a bit indiscreet. The
popularity of Les Philosophes was tremendous when it was
first performed. But when the sensation died, so too did
Palissot's popularity. He wrote a satire, La Dunciade ~
laGuerre des Sots: -before he died, but it was not very well
received.
This translation is a prose version of the original verse form.
Description
ii, 57 p.
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U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.