Amphitryon (Moliere's play)

In November 1666, the pen of the Duke of Enghien issued the secret of the secret connection between King Louis XIV and the Marquise de Montespan . This adultery was accompanied by a scandal: the Marquis cursed his wife and retired to his castle, ordering them to decorate the rooms with horns. It is believed that the Amphitryon play written by Moliere a year later is a hidden message from the king to the Marquis de Montespan:

“... Look, Amphitrion, here's your deputy! / In your features, recognize Jupiter. Appeared / I thunder, so that you know who is here before you. / It’s enough for you to put up with your soul, / So that you can find happiness and peace again? / The name that the whole world, shy, utters, / Scatters here and the rumors are all and lies: / With Jupiter, divide / Disgrace does not bring. / Now recognizing that your rival is the king of the gods, / You can be proud and call yourself happy ... "( translated by V. Ya. Bryusov )

During the forced rest in his country house in Otaile, Moliere enjoys reading Plautus comedies, among which was the comedy Amphitryon. Another source could be the play Rothru “The Birth of Hercules”, first staged at the Paris Theater Mare in 1636.

The premiere took place on January 13, 1668 at the Palais-Royal Theater , Moliere performed the role of Soziya. On January 16, the play was played in the Tuileries in front of Louis XIV.

The action takes place in Thebes , in front of Amphitryon's house.

Prologue

The king of the gods, Jupiter, was inflamed with a passion for Alcmene, the wife of the Theban commander Amphitryon, and while he leads his troops to Boeotia, he sends Mercury to the Night to hide the joys of Jupiter under his cover.

Act 1

• The Servant of Sozii is sent to announce to Alcmen the victorious return to Thebes of Amphitryon.
• But at the entrance to the house, he encounters Mercury, who has taken on the face of Sozii himself. Mercury convinces Sozii that he is “unreal” and beats him to prove this. Soziy returns to the port.
• Jupiter, full of tenderness, says goodbye to Alkmena. Now the night can give way to the sky daylight.
• Soziya Kleantida's wife meets Mercury and, having taken him for her husband, accuses him of infidelity. Mercury laughs at her and drives her away.

Act 2

• Amphitryon, in anger, listens to Soziya's story about meeting with himself. He does not believe a word.
• He returns home and meets Alkmena, surprised that she is not happy about his return. A quarrel begins: Alkmena claims that Amphitryon was with her last night. He accuses her of adultery.
• In a rage, Kleantida reminds Sozia of the offense inflicted on her.
• Their dispute interrupts the appearance of Jupiter. He passes into the chambers to Alkmene.
• Soziy and Kleantida are surprised by the unexpected calm of their master.
• Not knowing about the quarrel of Alkmena and Amphitryon, Jupiter appears in front of an angry Alkmena. Apologizing for the insults of the real Amphitryon, Jupiter invites Alcmena to the feast.
• Soziy apologizes to the Kleanthis, but their argument flares up even more.

Act 3

• In the exemplary monologue of the classicist style, Amphitryon talks about friendship and love, devotion and infidelity.
• Mercury (still under the guise of Soziya) fools the real Amphitryon, convincing him that he is not him.
• Amphitrion believed in treason. He is dishonored and eager for revenge.
• Having met the real Consciousness, he pours out his anger on him. Only the presence of strangers saves Sozii from quick reprisals.
• Jupiter comes to noise and rivals meet face to face. All in amazement, seeing at once two Amphitryons. The real Amphitrion leaves for help, Jupiter invites everyone to a feast.
• Soziy tries to get into the house, but is again driven out by Mercury.
• For the accomplishment of revenge, Amphitrion leads friends.
• Kleantida is perplexed: she had just served Amphitryon on a feast, and a minute later he was already on the street surrounded by friends who were ready to be revenged.
• Mercury reveals the truth to Amphitrion - it is the king of the gods himself who came down from heaven.
• And Jupiter himself in the clouds and at the sound of thunder is in front of everyone. He urges to be proud of his attention and predicts Amphitrion the birth of the "divine" son of Hercules.

• Mercury
• Night
• Jupiter , in the guise of Amphitryon
• Amphitryon , Theban commander
• Alcmena , the wife of Amphitryon
• Kleanthis , the maid of Alkmena, wife of Soziya
• Soziy , servant of Amphitryon
• Argatifontides , Theban Warlord
• Awaken the Theban Warlord
• Polyde , Theban Warlord
• Pavzikl , Theban warlord

• On September 18, 1668, a Russian embassy led by P. I. Potyomkin attended a play with Moliere playing Soziya.
• The first edition of the comedy contained a sonnet, a dedication to the King to win in Franche-Comté . However, when, under the terms of the First Treaty of Aachen in 1668, France ceded this region of Spain , the entire circulation of the play was withdrawn.

First production

The premiere of the play took place on January 13, 1668 at the Palais Royal Palace ( Paris ).

Famous productions

• 1998 - Vakhtangov Theater , Moscow, director Vladimir Mirzoev
• 2002 - Comedie Francaise , Paris, director Anatoly Vasilyev

• 1935 - Amphitrion Germany

• The text of the play "Amphitrion" (translated by Valery Bryusov)