Molière
English
The Imaginary Invalid, Molière's final play, centers on Argan, a hypochondriac obsessed with his health and the constant stream of doctors and apothecaries who attend him. He meticulously reviews his apothecary's bills, haggling over prices and lamenting the cost of his supposed ailments. Argan's primary concern is his daughter Angélique's future. He intends to marry her to Thomas Diafoirus, the son of his physician, Mr. Diafoirus, and nephew of his other physician, Mr. Purgon. This union would ensure a constant supply of medical attention for Argan. However, Angélique is secretly in love with Cléante, a young man she met by chance. Their clandestine affection is revealed to Argan's maid, Toinette, who sympathizes with the lovers and becomes their confidante. Angélique, though initially appearing to obey her father, expresses her distress over the proposed marriage. Argan's second wife, Béline, secretly conspires against Angélique and her younger sister, Louison. She feigns affection for Argan while secretly plotting to inherit his fortune and rid herself of his daughters. Béline manipulates Argan into considering disinheriting his children and expresses relief at the prospect of his death. Toinette, loyal to Angélique, devises a plan to expose Béline's true nature and to dissuve Argan from the marriage. She enlists the help of Béralde, Argan's brother, who is skeptical of medicine and doctors. Béralde tries to reason with Argan about his obsession with his health and the manipulative nature of his doctors and wife. Toinette's main stratagem involves impersonating a doctor. She tests Argan's gullibility by prescribing absurd remedies and suggesting extreme measures, such as cutting off his arm and plucking out his eye. Simultaneously, she stages a mock death for Argan to test Béline's affection. Béline's reaction reveals her greed and lack of genuine love, as she rejoices at the prospect of his death and attempts to secure his money. Angélique and Cléante, with Toinette and Béralde's support, eventually orchestrate a plan. Cléante, disguised as a music teacher, gets close to Angélique. During a mock ceremony, Argan is persuaded to undergo a farcical doctor's examination. In the play's climax, Argan is tricked into believing he is being made a doctor himself, an idea he readily accepts. This allows Cléante to also be made a doctor, fulfilling Argan's condition for the marriage. The play concludes with Argan seemingly cured of his delusion and accepting Angélique's marriage to Cléante.
