Réécrire “Tartuffe”. Avatars de la «comédie parfaite» chez Lemercier (1795-1830)

Lemercier's "Cours de littérature générale" outlines twenty-three rules for creating comic plays, using Tartuffe as a prime example. According to Lemercier, Tartuffe not only represents the epitome of comedy but also portrays a universal human flaw in vivid detail. Lemercier, known for his revolutionary version of Tartuffe in 1795, later crafted a tragic adaptation titled Clovis during the Empire. This analysis explores the variations of Tartuffe in Lemercier's works, examining their political implications within the changing French institutional landscape. It also delves into Lemercier's propensity for blending genres throughout his career, with Tartuffe serving as a notable illustration.