Tartuffe

Tartuffe is the socially charged and comedic play of Molière, first performed in the 1660s.

The play is sharply critical of certain elements in 17th century French society, notably the hypocrisy many influential players were guilty of in their relations among other members of society, in general with the aim of bettering their own station in life. Moliere singled out the particular practice of certain individuals who ostentatiously advertise their Christian piety. The titular Tartuffe is a former vagrant and fraud, who uses his supposed religious leanings to ingratiate and gain favour with Orgon and his family. 

This creation was initially staged in full, and proved a hit with French audiences. However the Archbishop of France petitioned King Louis XIV - who originally commissioned Molière for the production - to censor parts. As such, Tartuffe was performed in abridged form for many years, with many of the titular character's religious prostrations expunged from the dialogue. However, the play's legacy and message persisted - the term 'Tartuffe' is to this day shorthand for 'pious hypocrite' in both English and French. 

The complete and unabridged translation to English present in this edition was authored by Curtis Hidden Page, and has become highly regarded in the years since its original publication.