Okay, let's break this down. Comedias escogidas isn't one story, but a curated collection of some of the best comedies from two masters: the French genius Molière and the Spanish neoclassical writer Leandro Fernández de Moratín. Reading them together is fascinating because you see how the same human follies were tackled across different cultures.

The Story

Each play is its own self-contained world, but they all orbit the same sun: human hypocrisy and social pretense. In Molière's Tartuffe, a family is torn apart by a pious fraud who cons the patriarch. In The Miser, a father's obsession with money threatens his children's happiness. Moratín's plays, like The Maiden's Consent, often focus on the Spanish custom of arranged marriages, where young women have to outwit their guardians to marry for love. The plots are straightforward—usually a clever plan to expose a liar or unite lovers—but the engine is always the clash between genuine feeling and rigid social masks.

Why You Should Read It

Here's the thing that blew my mind: these plays from the 1600s and 1700s are incredibly relatable. We still have people pretending to be something they're not online. We still see conflicts between generations about life choices. Molière's humor is broad, physical, and biting—he's not afraid to make the powerful look ridiculous. Moratín is more subtle, focusing on the quiet tension in drawing rooms. Together, they show that comedy is a powerful tool for questioning authority and defending personal freedom. The characters aren't just archetypes; you'll recognize the controlling parent, the sly servant, the stubborn old man, and the resilient young lover in people you know.

Final Verdict

This collection is perfect for anyone who loves sharp dialogue and stories about underdogs winning. If you enjoy satirical shows or movies that make you laugh while making a point, you'll find the original blueprint here. It's also a great pick for book clubs—every play sparks debate about society, family, and love. Don't be intimidated because it's a "classic"; the translation (if you're reading in English) and the situations are clear and engaging. Think of it less as homework and more as a series of brilliantly crafted, timeless comedy specials.