Beaumarchais is famous for the hilarious Figaro plays, but his final one is a different beast. 'L'autre Tartuffe, ou La mère coupable' (The Other Tartuffe, or The Guilty Mother) drops the farce for serious, emotional drama.

The Story

Twenty years after the events of 'The Marriage of Figaro,' the Almaviva household is wealthy but unhappy. The Count and Countess are haunted by a secret: one of their two children, Léon, is actually the son of the Countess’s former lover, Chérubin. Enter Bégearss, a manipulative and greedy confidant who uncovers this truth. Posing as a loyal friend, he uses the secret to blackmail the family, aiming to steal their fortune and destroy their lives. It's up to the now-married Figaro and Suzanne to see through his schemes and save the family from ruin.

Why You Should Read It

This play is fascinating because it shows characters we know in a completely new light. The witty, rebellious Figaro is now a loyal protector. The passionate Countess is weighed down by decades of guilt. Seeing them grapple with the consequences of their past choices is powerful. Bégearss is a fantastic villain—charming, calculating, and utterly believable. The play asks tough questions about forgiveness and whether a family built on a lie can survive.

Final Verdict

This is not the light, comedic Beaumarchais you might expect. It's a thoughtful and sometimes heartbreaking family drama. It’s perfect for readers who love classic plays but want to explore beyond the famous comedies, or for anyone who enjoys a story about secrets, redemption, and the long shadow of the past. Think of it as a sophisticated, 18th-century psychological thriller.