... not try to mirror 'life' in the fashion of naturalistic drama - but, instead, explores domination through farcical situations. Through the pompous Arnolphe who seeks to dominate his ward, lest he be "cuckolded", Moliére demonstrates this type of domination as Arnolphe endeavours to shape her character in contempt of her own happiness. Agnes, the ward, on the other hand, is a quieter, subtler controller whose eventual mastery of men is derived from an astute forthrightness of character. A consideration of the cultural settings of each play enables a clearer understanding of how some forms of domination may be founded in custom or status. Women's status in Louis XIV's time depended partly on class, but most were considered owned by their fathers, then passed on to husbands. However, skilful women were able to achieve mastery of men by cleverness, wit, and charm, for this was all that was available to them. Louis ...

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