Lexique comparé de la langue de Molière et des écrivains du XVIIe siècle

This work offers a detailed side‑by‑side look at the words and expressions that animate Molière’s plays and those of his seventeenth‑century peers. By arranging entries alphabetically and noting subtle differences in usage, it reveals how the master dramatist’s language both shaped and was shaped by the literary milieu of his time. Readers will discover the quirks of courtly elegance, the earthy humor of popular speech, and the occasional borrowings from classical sources that seasoned writers wove into their texts. It serves as a practical guide for anyone who wishes to hear the authentic cadence of the era while appreciating the nuances that set Molière apart.

The introductory essay sets the stage with a lively discussion of French linguistic history, tracing its double rebirth from medieval Latin roots to the Renaissance overhaul. It contrasts the steady, experience‑driven vernacular of the people with the experimental, often pretentious diction of the scholarly elite. This perspective helps listeners grasp why certain phrases endure while others fade, highlighting the tension between tradition and innovation that defined the period’s prose. The result is a rich, contextual portrait of a language in flux, inviting listeners to explore the soundscape of 17th‑century France.