The Barber of Seville by Beaumarchais (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide

By Bright Summaries

Unlock the more straightforward side of The Barber of Seville with this concise and insightful summary and analysis!

This engaging summary presents an analysis of The Barber of Seville by Beaumarchais, a rollicking comedy which was one of the most popular French plays of the 18th century. It tells the story of Figaro, the eponymous barber, who comes to the aid of his former master, Count Almaviva, and helps him win the heart of the beautiful Rosine. However, Figaro and the two lovers have to resort to using all kinds of tricks, schemes and disguises to outfox Rosine’s dastardly guardian, Don Bartholo, who wants to marry her himself… The Barber of Seville is one of the most popular works by Pierre-Augustin Caron, better known as Beaumarchais, who was a key figure in both the political and literary scenes of 18th-century France.

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This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:

• A complete plot summary
• Character studies
• Key themes and symbols
• Questions for further reflection

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• Language: English
• Publisher: BrightSummaries.com
• Release date: Aug 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9782808010665

Book preview

FRENCH PLAYWRIGHT, POET, POLITICIAN AND MUSICIAN

Born in Paris in 1732.

Died in Paris in 1799.

Notable works:

Eugénie (1767), play

The Marriage of Figaro (1784), play

The Guilty Mother (1792), play

Pierre-Augustin Caron was born in 1732 and is best known by the surname he later adopted, Beaumarchais, which is derived from le Bois Marchais, an area of land that belonged to his wife. He initially followed in the professional footsteps of his father, who was a master watchmaker, before entering Parisian high society in 1759 as a music tutor for the daughters of King Louis XV (1710-1774). He gained a reputation as an incorrigible womaniser during this time, before being made Secretary-Councillor to the King, a position which saw him take on a number of diplomatic responsibilities.

Beaumarchais’ first real taste of literary success came in 1775, when his play The Barber of Seville was first performed. After falling victim to censorship and the outdated practices of the Comédie-Française (a prestigious French state theatre), in 1777 he founded the Société des auteurs dramatiques (Society of Playwrights), which is generally considered to be the origin of the modern idea of copyright. Beaumarchais died in 1799.

A LIVELY ROMANTIC COMEDY

Genre: play (comedy)

Reference edition: Beaumarchais, P-A. (1964) The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro. Trans. Wood, J. London: Penguin.

1stedition: 1775

Themes: friendship, love, trickery, disguises, marriage

It may come as a surprise to learn that the first performance of The Barber of Seville on 23 February 1775 was a resounding failure. However, Beaumarchais spent three