“Sganarelle ou le Cocu Imaginaire” leaps from this wall. Here we stand before the Sganarel Mural. It is more than just paint on a surface. It’s a portal into the world of Molière. This mural captures the essence of Sganarelle.
Sganarelle is an iconic character. Molière himself played Sganarelle. He played him in seven plays. The name Sganarelle comes from the Italian verb “sgannare”. It means ‘to open the eyes’. It extends to bringing to light what one wishes to ignore. It means to make one understand the truth.
Molière’s theatre seems simple. Yet, it holds complexity. Beyond the energy and vitality, a darker world appears. It shows humanity’s vulnerability and pain.
“Le Cocu Imaginaire” is full of strong emotions. It shows paternal violence. There is despair, desire for death and murder. Jealousy, revenge, blindness, cowardice and shame also feature. These flaws are pushed to the extreme. Molière presents them as farce. The grotesque and ridicule allow us to laugh. Through laughter, we exorcise the unease we feel. We recognize ourselves a little.
Thierry Hancisse’s artistic direction brings us closer. We probe deeply into the characters’ disarray. The work has a jubilant vitality. Sganarelle is Molière’s jester. He reveals humanity’s faults behind a mask.
“Le Médecin malgré lui” also features Sganarelle. It translates to “The Doctor in Spite of Himself”. It is a farce by Molière. He first presented it in 1666. It is a comedic satire of French medicine in the 17th century.
Sganarelle is a woodcutter in this play. He is alcoholic and gluttonous. He makes life hard for his wife. He spends his earnings on food and drink. He argues with his wife Martine. He beats her. Martine seeks revenge. She tells servants that Sganarelle is a doctor. They must beat him to get him to admit it. The servants beat Sganarelle. He finally admits to being a doctor.
Sganarelle meets Geronte and his mute daughter. He tries to pass as a doctor. He fears being beaten again. Geronte pays him well. Sganarelle gives up woodcutting. He becomes a “doctor”.
Sganarelle learns his patient pretends to be ill. She loves another man. The play climaxes with Sganarelle’s discovery. He is almost executed. But, love resolves everything happily.
Sganarelle’s monologue is famous. He says he never dreamt of being a doctor. But, people insist he is one. He finds it the best trade. Doctors are paid well whether right or wrong. They are never responsible for bad work. They can spoil a man without paying for it. The dead never complain.
“Sganarelle, ou Le Cocu imaginaire” means “The Imaginary Cuckold”. It is a one-act comedy. It premiered in 1660. Molière played Sganarelle. The story involves jealousy and hasty assumptions. There are quarrels and misunderstandings.
Sganarelle is a middle-aged bourgeois. The play was an instant success. It was performed frequently. Molière protected his company’s rights. A spectator wrote the play from memory. He published a “pirate” edition.
The greedy Gorgibus forces his daughter to marry Valère. But, she loves Lélie. Célie faints. Sganarelle tries to revive her. She loses Lélie’s portrait. Assumptions and quarreling begin. Sganarelle’s wife thinks he loves Célie. Sganarelle thinks Lélie loves his wife. Célie thinks Lélie loves Sganarelle’s wife. Lélie thinks Célie married Sganarelle. The governess sorts out the confusion. Valère secretly married someone else. Célie and Lélie can marry.
Sganarelle tells the audience to remember this example. Even when you see everything, never believe anything.
The Sganarel Mural captures the enduring humor. It shows the human condition in Molière’s work. It reminds us to question appearances. It urges us to find truth behind the mask. It echoes Molière’s genius. It makes us think and laugh.