Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme

In Act III, Scene 1, M. Jourdain prepares to go for a walk to display his new suit. He orders the lackeys to join him so everyone can see that he has servants. As the act moves into Scene Two, M. Jourdain’s maid, Nicole, enters. She laughs hysterically at his outfit, apologizing and swearing that she isn’t trying to mock him. Indignant, he orders her to prepare the house for his special guest. This stops Nicole’s laughter, as she exclaims, “Ah, by my faith, I don’t feel like laughing any more. All your guests make such a disorder here that the word ‘company’ is enough to put me in a bad humor” (47). M. Jourdain asks why he should “shut [his] door to everyone for [her] sake?” and Nicole responds, “You should at least shut it to some people” (47).

In Scene 3, Madame Jourdain, M. Jourdain’s wife, castigates him for his foolishness. She asks, “What’s this, what’s this, husband, this outfit you have on there? Don’t you care what people think of you when you are got up like that? And do you want yourself laughed at everywhere?” (48). Mme. Jourdain asserts, “I am scandalized at the life you lead” (48).