La Maladie Imaginare - english

Page 1:

  • The play takes place in the second half of the 17th century in the home of a hypochondriac named Argan.

  • Argan regularly takes concoctions supplied by his doctor, Purgon, and an apothecary named Fleurant.

  • Argan has betrothed his daughter, Angélique, to a young doctor so that he can have access to medical services.

  • Angélique is already in love with another young man, Cléante.

  • Argan tells Angélique that she is to marry Purgon's nephew, Thomas Diafoirus, who completes his medical studies in three days.

  • Toinette, Argan's maid, advises that Angélique should be allowed to marry the man of her choice.

  • Argan threatens to put Angélique in a convent if she refuses to cooperate.

  • Argan's second wife, Béline, arrives and pampers him as he tells her what has happened.

  • Béline warns Toinette not to disturb Argan again or he'll throw her out.

  • Béline and Argan discuss making a will to reward her for her love.

  • The notary, Monsieur de Bonnefoi, enters and informs Argan about the legalities of bequeathing his property to his wife.

  • Toinette advises Angélique that the notary is part of a dishonest scheme by Béline to take control of Argan's money.

Page 2:

  • Toinette informs Cléante about Argan's plan to marry Angélique off to Thomas Diafoirus.

  • Cléante decides to pose as a music teacher to stay with Angélique.

  • Cléante and Toinette take him to Argan's room where he introduces himself as a substitute music teacher.

  • Angélique plays along and does not reveal her love for Cléante to her father.

  • Thomas Diafoirus and his father arrive, and Thomas presents himself to Argan with a prepared speech.

  • Thomas is clumsy, but his father praises his hard work and rejects modern medical views.

  • Cléante and Angélique perform a song expressing their feelings for each other and their fears about the arranged marriage.

  • Argan dismisses Cléante and asks Diafoirus and his son to examine him.

  • The doctors conclude that Argan has a problem with his spleen, but Argan mentions that Purgon diagnosed it as a liver problem.

  • Béline tells Argan that she saw Angélique talking to a young man, and Louison, Argan's daughter, confirms it.

  • Argan plans to put Angélique in a convent and goes for a walk.

Page 3:

  • Béralde persuades Argan to pretend to be a doctor

    • Argan wants a doctor nearby to treat his ailments

    • Angélique wants a more suitable match for her

  • Fleurant enters with a concoction, Béralde advises Argan not to take it

  • Purgon arrives and denounces Argan for refusing his prescribed medicine

    • Purgon withdraws his approval of Angélique's marriage to Thomas Diafoirus

  • Toinette enters disguised as a doctor and examines Argan

    • Argan believes Toinette is a famous doctor

    • Toinette recommends amputation of an arm and removal of an eye

  • Béralde appeals on behalf of Angélique, but Argan wants her to become a nun

  • Toinette suggests a plan to test Béline's fidelity to Argan

    • Argan agrees to pretend to be dead

Page 4:

  • Béline enters and expresses relief at Argan's "death"

  • Angélique mourns her father's "death" and tells Cléante they can't marry

  • Argan "comes back" to life and allows Angélique and Cléante to marry if Cléante becomes a doctor

  • Béralde suggests Argan should become the doctor so he has access to medical care

  • Argan dresses in a cap and gown which is needed for the ceremony

  • Belrade hires a group of actors who play doctors and other medical people, and Argan is now in the medical field.