Transforming Attitudes Towards the Turk in Edward Ravenscroft’s Mamamouchi, or The citizen turn’d gentleman (1672) and Molière’s Le bourgeois Gentilhomme (1668)

Abstract When Edward Ravenscroft approached the polarising figure of Turk in The citizen turn’d gentleman (1672), an adaptation Molière’s Le bourgeois gentilhomme (1668), he inherited certain structures and motivations that stem out very specific attitudes towards Ottomans were not easily transposed onto English context. This did stop him from penning one most successful plays his time, but it also critics deeming a cheap knock-off hardly altered original was closer to translation than any exercise real talent. His adaptation, however, builds on expectations London audiences trends narrative-building regarding East–West relations cleverly alter reception play rather execution thereof, resulting minimal style produced profound outcome. study explores Ravenscroft’s way dealing with central relation source material order prove decision conscious act, part much more complex adaptative procedure is given credit for.