Sganarelle par Dugazon (théâtre-documention.com)
Above is an image of Sganarelle praising tobacco. Molière‘s Dom Juan is an obscure play. As the curtain lifts, Sganarelle, Dom Juan’s valet, is praising tobacco. A critic called this praise of tobacco an encomium, but a paradoxical encomium. I believe I found this information in a book or article by Patrick Dandrey.
I read several books on Molière before entering a sabbatical I would devote to writing my book on Molière. It didn’t happen. The Chair of my department called me in and asked me to prepare two new courses in areas I was not familiar with. I could not say no because I feared him.
When I returned to work, I realized that during my absence, no one upgraded the language lab component. It took me two months to upgrade it. So, my workload triggered a serious episode of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. I was vulnerable and accepted to move to Sherbrooke. That was a mistake. One should not make serious decisions when one is unwell.
However, here I am preparing my final will. My mind took me back to what had been my home: Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
My University eliminated me, using a ruse, because of an illness I could manage, given normal circumstances. I can work on a full-time basis, if assigned a normal load of courses. What my university did to me was very wrong.
Beware of wills.
So, we are returning to Dom Juan and specifically to the relationship between Dom Juan, the character, played by La Grange, and Sganarelle, Molière’s role.
Love to everyone 💕
Michel Lambert
“Ma bergère est tendre et fidelle,” air sérieux
Stephan van Dyck
Musica Favola Ensemble
Dom Juan par Edmond Hédouin (théâtre-documentation.com)
© Micheline Walker
10 August 2019
WordPress
Micheline's Blog 
I am very sorry to hear about the injustice you were subjected to at your university, dear Micheline.
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It was terrible. I think I was the “competition.” I was President of the Canadian Association of University and College Teachers of French, a member of the Executive of the Canadian Federation for the Humanities, etc. But I had caught a virus and had to pace myself. When my workload became too heavy, I fell ill. I didn’t have the strength to brush my teeth. I managed to finish the year, but it was difficult. My students realized that I had come back to make sure they completed the year normally and they were very thankful. Thank you my dear.
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So very sad, dear Micheline! I hope you are having a nice, restful Sunday!
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Let’s just say that I have a colourful history, but that I am moving forward.
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Good for you, dear friend, and great for us, your readers!
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If I were not moving forward, I would be my own worst enemy. I enjoy belonging to a community. Love
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Je suis désolé et indigné du comportement de l’université à votre égard, Micheline.
Pour ce qui est du monologue de Sganarelle au début de Don Juan, il faut se souvenir qu’à l’époque le tabac se prisait.
On en déposait une pincée dans le petit creux que forme le poing fermé au dessus de l’index, nommé pour cela “la tabatière” et on l’aspirait par le nez.
D’où le fait que dans le monologue de Sganarelle l’expression “donner du tabac” peut signifier : Mettre son poing dans la figure de quelqu’un.
Ce serait l’origine de l’expression française : Passer à tabac.
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On m’a fait beaucoup de mal. En fait, que j’ai voulu reprendre mes fonctions, on m’a dit qu’intellectuellement, je n’étais pas à la hauteur du poste que j’occupais.
Oui, le tabac se prisait à l’époque, de même que le sucre. Si bien que “donner du tabac” peut signifier mettre son poing dans la figure, dans le contexte du Dom Juan de Molière.
Je vous remercie de m’avoir écrit. C’était très gentil de votre part.
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