How does the concept of transgression function both as a thematic element within Moliere's dramatic works and as a methodological challenge for contemporary scholars and performers? Michael Spingler, a scholar of French literature and theater, compiles a series of essays that bridge the gap between textual analysis and theatrical practice. The volume argues that Moliere's plays are not merely static literary artifacts but dynamic scripts that invite interpretation through the lens of boundary-crossing, whether social, moral, or artistic. By integrating the perspectives of both academics and professional actors, the work seeks to redefine the scholarly approach to Moliere's canon.

Experts recognize this collection as a useful bridge between the ivory tower of literary theory and the practical realities of the stage. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is tailored primarily for scholars and students of French theater history.