Arnolphe, the protagonist of The School for Wives, isso intimidated by women that he resolves to raise his young ward, Agnès,as his future wife, first in a convent and then at age 17 in a cloisteredresidence he keeps under an alias, Monsieur de la Souche.  She soon meets and falls for Horace, the sonof Arnolphe’s friend Oronte. Horace unwittingly confides his affection for Agnèsto Arnolphe, who plots to outwit Horace and marry Agnès.  A misunderstanding takes shape: Arnolphebelieves Agnèshas agreed to marry him; Agnes believes she has been given permission to marryHorace. Ironically, Horace seeks Arnolphe ‘s help in rescuing Agnèsfrom M. de la Souche.  Matters areresolved only when Oronte arrives with his friend Enrique and they announceHorace is to marry Enrique’s daughter, who turns out to be - Agnès!  Game over. Moliere’s comedy was first stagedDecember 26, 1662 at the Palais Royal theatre for Phillippe, the Duke of Orleans,brother of Louis XIV, and met with public controversy. This prompted Moliere torelease a clever sequel, La Critique de L'École des femmes, to help explainhis unique style.

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