Chapter Sganarelle to Shadukiam and Ambe-Abad of S by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Sganarelle to Shadukiam and Ambe-Abad

Sganarelle, younger brother of Ariste ; a surly, domineering brute, wise in his own conceit, and the dupe of the play. His brother says to him, “tous vos procédés inspire un air bizarre, et, jusques à I’habit, rend tout chez vous barbare.” The father of Isabelle and Léonor, on his death-bed, committed them to the charge of Sganarelle and Ariste, who were either to marry them or dispose of them in marriage. Sganarelle chose Isabelle, but insisted on her dressing in serge, going to bed early, keeping at home, looking after the house, mending the linen, knitting socks, and never flirting with any one. The consequence was, she duped her guardian, and cajoled him into giving his signature to her marriage with Valère.

Malheureux qui se fie a femme après cela!
La meilleure est toujours en malice féconde;
C’est un sexe engendré pour damner tout le monde.
Je renounce à jamais à ce sexe trompeur,
et je le donne tout au diable de bon coeur.

Molière: L’école des Maris (1661).

Sganarelle , an old man who wanted to marry a girl fond of dances, parties, of pleasure, and all the active enjoyments of young life. (For the tale, see MARIAGE FORCE, p. 673.)

(There is a supplement to this comedy by the same author, entitled Sganarelle ou Le Cocu Imaginaire.)

This joke about marrying is borrowed Rabelais, Pantagruel, iii. 35, etc. Panurge asks Trouillogan whether he would advise him to marry. The sage says, “No.” “But I wish to do so,” says the prince. “Then do so, by all means,” says the sage. “Which, then, would you advise?” asks Panurge. “Neither,” says Trouillogan. “But,” says Panurge, “that is not possible.” “Then both,” says the sage. After this, Panurge consults many others on the subject, and lastly the oracle of the Holy Bottle.

(The plot of Molière’s comedy is founded on an adventure recorded of the count of Grammont (q.v). The count had promised marriage to la belle Hamilton, but deserted her, and tried to get to France. Being overtaken by the two brothers of the lady, they clapped their hands on their swords, and demanded if the count had not forgotten something or left something behind. “True,” said the count, “I have forgotten to marry your sister;” and returned with the two brothers to repair this oversight.)

Sganarelle, father of Lucinde. (For the plot, see LUCINDE, p. 636.)—Molière: L’Amour Médecin (1665).

Sganarelle, husband of Martine. He is a faggot-maker, and has a quarrel with his wife, who vows to be even with him for striking her. Valère and Lucas (two domestics of Géronte) asks her to direct them to the house of a noted doctor. She sends them to her husband, and tells them he is so eccentric that he will deny being a doctor, but they must beat him well. So they find the faggot-maker, whom they beat soundly, till he consents to follow them. He is introduced to Lucinde, who pretends to be dumb, but, being a shrewd man, he soon finds out that the dumbness is only a pretence, and takes with him Léandre as an apothecary. The two lovers understand each other, and Lucinde is rapidly cured with “pills matrimoniac.” —Molière: Le Médecin Malgré Lui (1666).

Sganarelle, being asked by the father what he thinks is the matter with Lucinde, replies, “Entendez-vous le Latin?” “En aucune facon,” says Géronte. “Vous n’entendez point le Latin?” “Non, monsieur.” “That is a sad pity,” says Sganarelle, “for the case may be briefly stated thus—

Cabricias arcl thuram, catalamus, singulariter, nominativo, hæc musa, la muse, bonus, bona, bonum. Deus sanctus, estne oratio Latinas? etiam, oui, quare? pourquoi? quia substantivo et adjectivum concordat in generi, numerum, et casus.” “Wonderful man! says the father.—Act iii.

(See MOCK DOCTOR, p. 714.)

Sganarelle , valet to don Juan. He remonstrates with his master on his evil ways, but is forbidden sternly to repeat his impertinent admonitions. His praise of tobacco, or rather snuff, is somewhat amusing.