A Crtical Analysis of "A Physician Inspite of Himself"

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A look at every theatre is a reflection of the cross currents of the society for which it was written. Moliere’s A Physician in Spite of Himself is a period piece that depicts, like other theatrical offerings the ludicrous situation in which Sganarelle finds himself. It does not only deal with the home front and the several troubles that husbands and wives (Sganarelle vs Martine and Lucas vs Jacqueline) go through but also portrays the eye gauge with which the woman is seen. As for Lucinde the rich landlord’s daughter who is denied the freedom of marrying the man of her choice, we find in the whole situation, a scenario where it is not the woman/girl child’s right to love who she wants. Like most African society where such choices are made for the girl child, which usually results in the breakdown of law and order at the home front, Geronte insists that her daughter be married to Horace, a wealthy merchant’s son while Leandre-Lucinde’s heartthrob faces the threat of losing Lucinde because he has no inheritance. The selfish gain of Geronte surpasses his daughter’s marriage and her welfare becomes secondary. Knowing that her father will force her to marry Horace, a man she does not love nor knows. Geronte’s interest is more pecuniary rather than affectionate, hence Lucinde’s decision to turn dumb, a ruse meant to set off her unwanted suitor. Desperate to give his daughter away to the highest bidder at all cost, Geronte begins to employ the services of the best physicians in town. The condition of Sganarelle and Martine his wife is an appalling wife-husband situation. For one, Sganarelle is a drunk and panel beater. He is a tight fisted man who will not take care of family needs, so he always finds himself haggling with his wife. In Sganarelle’s often hysterical encounters with his wife, he resorts to punching her. For example, as the play opens, we see Sganarelle and
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