Part of the enduring charm of Moliere s characters stems from their insistent belief, in the face of overwhelming odds, that they can be whatever they choose. This idea of identity as a mercurial and resilient force is one Moliere was able to expand and explore largely because of his knowledge of early-seventeenth-century Spanish theatre. While the impact of Italian and Latin sources has been well documented, in this volume, Thomas P. Finn offers socio-historical as well as textual analyses to trace the comedia s influence on Moliere s concept of identity. Through an in-depth study of...