Nanine: A Comedy of Class, Virtue, and Enlightenment Thought - Paperback

by Voltaire (Author), William F. Fleming (Translator)

Voltaire's Nanine is a refined comedy of manners that examines class, virtue, and social expectation through wit and dramatic contrast. Centered on the relationship between a nobleman and a woman of modest origins, the play explores the tension between inherited status and personal merit, questioning the foundations of social hierarchy.

Through sharp dialogue and controlled comedic structure, Voltaire exposes the assumptions that govern rank and reputation. The play reflects Enlightenment ideals of reason and individual worth, using humor to challenge rigid distinctions of class while maintaining a light and engaging tone.

Nanine offers readers an accessible entry into Voltaire's dramatic work and the theatrical culture of eighteenth-century France. It remains of interest for its blend of social critique and elegance, and for its place within the broader development of European comedy.