Molière, better known by that pseudonym than by his name, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, was born and died in Paris (1622-1673). He began as an actor and by 1658 he was presenting plays at the Louvre in its rental theater. In 1664 he staged Tartuffe as a royal divertisement at Versailles, causing a scandal for it being perceived as criticism of the upper classes and anti-clerical. The king supported Molière but performances were suspended. The play was revived in 1667 under the title "Panulphe, ou L'imposteur" but was banned by the clergy.

The title character in Tartuffe is an impostor and a hypocrite. As a pious zealot, Tartuffe has insinuated himself into the prosperous home of Orgon, whose household is increasingly disturbed by the edicts of their guest against pleasure, while he gains influence over his gullible host. His wife Elmire exposes the treachery to Orgon when she arranges a liaison with Tartuffe and has her husband, hidden under a table, observe the unholy man's attempt to cuckold him.

THE TRANSLATOR

Richard Wilbur's rhymed verse translation of Tartuffe is a treat to read, and his translations, especially of the plays of Molière, have brought him great acclaim. In addition to Tartuffe, he has translated Molière's The Bungler, Sganarelle, or the Imaginary Cuckold, The School for Husbands, The School for Wives, Don Juan, The Misanthrope, Amphitryon, and The Learned Ladies. Born in 1921, Wilbur came to prominence as a poet in the 1950s. He received the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award for his volume Things of This World (1956). Wilbur is a former Poet Laureate of the United States, a Chancellor Emeritus of the Academy of American Poets, recipient of two Guggenheim fellowships, winner of the Gold medal for Poetry from the Academy of Arts and Letters, the Bollingen Prize, and the Prix de Rome Fellowship.

THE ILLUSTRATOR

The cartoonist, humor writer, and playwright, William Hamilton, is well known for his drawings in the New Yorker. His liquid line and quick capturing of character and expression provide perfect foil for the play.