A Bard for Our Times - 15 January 2021 - Plague Journal Day 309

Micah 6:8
Jeremiah 8:18-22
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

I guess I'm still on my French literature jag today. Yesterday was the master of tragedy, Racine. Today we move to comedies - farce, in fact! - and Molière.

Today, 15 January 2021, is Molière's 399th birthday. One supposes there will be widespread celebrations next year for his 400th - who knows? maybe even live performances of his plays? stranger things have happened!

Still, looking at a list of his major works, I was struck by how shockingly appropriate so many of them are to today's society, situation, and political environment. I have picked a few (in chronological order) to give you a sense of what I mean:
Le Médecin volant (1645) "The flying doctor"
Tartuffe ou L'Imposteur (1664) "Tartuffe, or the imposter"
L'Amour médecin (1665) "Love is the doctor"
Le Médecin malgré lui (1666) "Doctor in spite of himself"
Le Bourgeois gentilhomme (1670) "The bourgeois gentleman"
Le Malade imaginaire (1673) "The imaginary invalid" or "The hypochondriac"

Even if you don't read French, go find a translation and enjoy. These really are splendid plays. They're basically on the same level as Shakespeare's comedies (much as Racine's tragedies are in the same range as the Bard's).
Enjoy! (and you're welcome)

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.