depiction of social class in Molieres plays
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Discuss the relation between Molire's depiction of social class and the composition of his audience with reference to two or more plays.
"It is impossible that such a large number did not include persons of all classes" Lough was referring to Molire's audience when he stated this and it is clear why. Molire's audiences ranged from the lowest peasantry who could afford entry, to the King and nobles of the court. His plays were extremely popular among all social classes although his treatment of these classes was not always positive.
Firstly let us consider the composition of Molire's audience and the social classes which frequented his theatre. The peasantry attended the theatre as often as they could afford and could be found in the Parterre. Inevitably when we speak of peasantry we are not referring to the lowest class of peasantry but the slightly wealthier group consisting of laboureurs, fermiers and artisans. There attendance was rare in the opening nights of a performance or on other occasions when the prices were au double. However when prices returned to simple, they were almost as prominent as the bourgeoisie.
The bourgeoisie were certainly the most significant section of Molire's audience and again mostly in the Parterre, there reactions were vital to the success of a play...