The Misanthrope
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![Jonathan Ernsberger as Acaste and Kyle Johnston as Clitandre in UC Irvine's 2011 production of Robert Cohen's translation, staged by Keith Fowler.](/Images/godic/202501/23/Acaste_&_Clit5628.jpg")
The Misanthrope, or the Cantankerous Lover (French:Le Misanthrope ou l'Atrabilaire amoureux; French pronunciation: [lə mizɑ̃tʁɔp u latʁabilɛːʁ amuʁø]) is a 17th-century comedy of manners in verse written by Molière. It was first performed on 4 June 1666 at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris by the King's Players.