Introduction and Characters

'La Comtesse d'Escarbagnas' was acted before the Court at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, on December 2, 1671, and in the theatre of the Palais Royal on July 8, 1672. It was never printed during Molière's lifetime, but for the first time only in 1682. It gives us a good picture of the provincial thoughts, manners, and habits of those days.

PERSONS REPRESENTED

THE COUNT, son to the COUNTESS.

THE VISCOUNT, in love with JULIA.

MR. THIBAUDIER, councillor, in love with the COUNTESS.

MR. HARPIN, receiver of taxes, also in love with the COUNTESS.

MR. BOBINET, tutor to the COUNT.

JEANNOT, servant to MR. THIBAUDIER.

CRIQUET, servant to the COUNTESS.

THE COUNTESS OF ESCARBAGNAS.

JULIA, in love with the VISCOUNT.

ANDRÉE, maid to the COUNTESS.

The scene is at Angoulême.