The Flying Doctor by Molière (1665)

Name: The Flying Doctor
Author: Molière

The narrative revolves around a young man, Valère, who is in love with Lucile, the daughter of Gorgibus. Gorgibus intends to marry Lucile to an older suitor, Villebrequin, which prompts Valère and his friend Sabine to devise a plan to prevent the marriage. They decide to feign Lucile's illness to delay the wedding, leading Gorgibus to seek a doctor. Valère enlists his servant, Sganarelle, to impersonate a doctor. Initially reluctant, Sganarelle agrees when promised a reward. He successfully deceives Gorgibus, claiming to be a skilled physician and suggesting that Lucile needs a change of air, which allows Valère to visit her without Gorgibus's knowledge. As Sganarelle continues his charade, he encounters a lawyer who expresses admiration for his supposed medical expertise. Sganarelle, maintaining his ruse, engages in nonsensical dialogue, further convincing Gorgibus of his abilities. Meanwhile, Valère takes advantage of the situation to meet Lucile in the garden. The plot thickens when Gorgibus, unaware of the deception, insists on reconciling Sganarelle with his "brother," who is actually just another guise of Sganarelle. The comedic tension escalates as Sganarelle juggles his multiple identities and the expectations of Gorgibus. Eventually, Gorgibus discovers the truth about Sganarelle's deception. However, upon realizing that Valère and Lucile are genuinely in love and that the marriage to Villebrequin is not in Lucile's best interest, he forgives Sganarelle. The story concludes with Gorgibus accepting Valère as a suitable son-in-law, leading to a celebratory wedding. The work explores themes of love, deception, and the folly of authority, showcasing the cleverness of the young lovers and the comedic incompetence of the older generation.

By Molière · First published 1665 · Genre: Comedy, Farce, Satire · 15 chapters · 5,767 words

First lines

PERSONS REPRESENTED. GORGIBUS, _father to_ LUCILE. VALERE, _in love with_ LUCILE. SGANARELLE,_ servant to_ VALERE. GROS-RENE, _valet to_ GORGIBUS. A LAWYER. LUCILE. SABINE, _cousin to_ LUCILE.

VAL. Well, Sabine, what do you advise me to do?

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The Flying Doctor is listed on Textopian as a play by Molière, dated 1665 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Play
Author: Molière
Date: 1665 CE
Language: English
Genres: Comedy, Farce, Satire, Romantic Comedy, Theater
Length: 5,767 words
Structure: 15 chapters, 124 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Work identity for The Flying Doctor by Molière
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Flying Doctor?
How does this play by Molière fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Comedy — The play employs humor and satire to explore themes of deception and love, characteristic of comedic works.
Farce — The exaggerated situations and mistaken identities create a farcical atmosphere, typical of Molière's style.
Satire — The work critiques societal norms, particularly regarding marriage and the medical profession, using wit and irony.
Romantic Comedy — The central plot revolves around romantic entanglements and the lengths characters go to achieve love.