Reviews for Jean-Baptiste Molière’s The Miser highlight its enduring humor and keen social commentary. Audiences appreciate the clever satire of greed and human folly. While some find the plot predictable, the play's lively characters and witty dialogue consistently entertain. Overall, it remains a classic in comedic theater.

A reader who enjoys sharp social commentary, witty dialogue, and classic satire would find pleasure in The Miser by Jean-Baptiste Molière. Similar to those who appreciate Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice or the humor in William Shakespeare's comedies, this audience enjoys exploring human follies through timeless, clever narratives.

The Miser, a comedy by Jean-Baptiste Molière, centers on Harpagon, a penny-pinching old man in Paris who seeks to increase his wealth by arranging advantageous marriages for himself and his two grown children, Elise and Cleante, causing intergenerational conflict and romantic entanglements as each struggles to marry their chosen partners amidst misunderstandings and schemes. One character mimics the action of hanging themselves.

Humorous / Dark / Mysterious / Emotional / Challenging

- Molière's "The Miser" (L'Avare) premiered on September 9, 1668, at the Palais-Royal theater in Paris, blending elements of comedy and farce with societal commentary.
- Due to its critical portrayal of avarice, initial reactions to "The Miser" were mixed, but it has since become one of Molière's most celebrated works, frequently performed worldwide.
- Molière not only wrote "The Miser" but also played the role of the protagonist, Harpagon, during its original production.

**Harpagon (The Miser)**  
An aging and greedy man who prioritizes money above all else, often mistreating those around him in his obsessive pursuit of wealth.

**Cleante**  
Harpagon's son who is in love with Marianne and often finds himself at odds with his stingy father.

**Elise**  
Harpagon’s daughter who harbors love for Valere while grappling with her father's plans for her marriage.

**Valere**  
A charming young man in love with Elise, who uses flattery as a tactic to win favor with Harpagon.

**Marianne**  
The beloved of Cleante, caught in familial expectations and personal desires.

**Frosine**  
A matchmaker skilled in flattery, involved in arranging Marianne's engagement to Harpagon.

**Master Jacques**  
The honest yet frustrated servant of Harpagon, who despises flattery and becomes embroiled in household deceit.

**La Fleche**  
Cleante's outspoken servant who assists in schemes against Harpagon.

**Seigneur Anselme**  
A wealthy suitor chosen by Harpagon for Elise, who reveals a more generous disposition.

Jean-Baptiste Moliere

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