Post 13

*I attended Southeastern's production of The Imaginary Invalid and watched the entire play.

The Imaginary Invalid, by Moliere was an extremely dramatic, yet comedic play that deals with a variety of family situations and fights in order to finally find truth. The main character Argan is a hypochondriac who does not want to pay for medical care, so devises a plan for his daughter Angelique to marry off to a doctor, so he will get free healthcare. Angelique on the hand had different plans; she was already in love with a man named Cleante. Her father refused her plan to marry Cleante and pushed the idea of marrying the doctor’s son. In other news, Argans second wife Beline has a secret plot to take all of Argans fortune when he dies. The maid and Argans brother conspire to help show Argan his enemies and in the process allow Angelique to marry Clente. They come up with a plan for his wife and his daughter to walk on Argan pretending to be dead; and based off their reactions he will know the truth. First time through Beline walks in finding Argan dead, and shows no remorse and is happy she can finally have his money. Argan realizes she was untrue in her motives and wants nothing to do with her. He pretends to be dead again and Angelique walks in and immediately cries over his death and wishes he would come back to life and would even give up Cleante for Him. Argan realizes his daughter loves Him and consents the marriage. Argan is still obsessive over having his medical bills paid, so the maid advises Argan to get an immediate doctors license himself. That way he can attend to his own problems. And that’s the end! Overall I absolutely loved this play! I loved everything from the plot to the comedy to the dances and makeup. I like how at the end their were two main ironic twists that Argan consents to the marriage on the basis his wife never loved him and that he becomes a doctor in order to have a doctor. I thoroughly enjoyed this play and I hope going to other plays or artistic events are planned into the rest of this semester.