<p>Prudence Steiner's lively prose translations remain close to the original French, giving us the speech of the characters in a slightly compressed and formalized language that echoes the effect created by Moliere's verse.</p><p>Roger Herzel's thoughtful Introduction discusses Moliere's life; <i>Tartuffe</i>, <i>The Misanthrope</i>, and the comic tradition; and the setting, casting, and style of the plays.</p>