SGANARELLE 
 
 
enlist if it stuck fast in the tree at which 
he flung it. He threw it with such force 
that the whole blade was completely buried 
in the trunk (fifteenth century). 
 
  Sforza (Ludov'ico), duke of Milan, sur- 
named "the More," from mora, "a mul- 
berry" (because he had on his arm a birth- 
stain of a mulberry color). Ludovico was 
dotingly fond of his bride, Marcelia, and 
his love was amply returned; but during 
his absence in the camp, he left Francesco 
lord protector, and Francesco assailed the 
fidelity of the young duchess. Failing in 
his villainy, he accused her to the duke of 
playing the wanton with him, and the 
duke, in a fit of jealousy, slew her. Sforza 
was afterwards poisoned by Eugenia (sis- 
ter of Francesco), whom he had seduced. 
  Nina Sjbrza, the duke's daughter.-Mas- 
singer, The Duke of Milan (1622). 
  *** This tragedy is obviously an imita- 
tion of Shakespeare's Othello (1611). 
 
  Sganarelle, the "cocu imaginaire," of 
Moli~re's comedy (1660). The plot runs 
thus: CWlie was betrothed to LUlie, but 
her father, Gorgtbus, insisted on her mar- 
rying Val~re, because he was the richer 
man. C6lie fainted on hearing this, and 
dropped her lover's miniature, which was 
picked up by Sganarelle's wife. Sgana- 
relle, thinking it to be the portrait of a 
gallant, took possession of it, and L6lie 
asked him how he came by it. Sganarelle 
said he took it from his wife, and L61ie 
supposed that C6lie had become the wife of 
Sganarelle. A series of misapprehensions 
arose thence: C61ie supposed that L6lie 
had deserted her for Madame Sganarelle; 
Sganarelle supposed that his wife was un- 
faithful to him; madame supposed that 
her husband was an adorer of CNlie; and 
LUlie supposed that C6lie was the wife of 
Sganarelle. In time they met together, 
 
 
when l1ie charged Celie with being mar- 
ried to Sganarelle; both stared, an explan- 
ation followed, when a messenger arrived 
to say that Valdre was married.-Moli6re, 
Le Cocu Imaginaire. 
 
  Sganarelle, younger brother of Ariste 
(2 syl.); a surly, domineering, conceited fel- 
low, the dupe of the play. His brother 
says to him, "Cette farouche humeur A 
tons vos proced6s inspire un air bizarre, et, 
jusques &1 lhabit, rend tout chez vous bar- 
bare." The father of Isabelle and Leonor, 
on his death-bed, committed them to the 
charge of Sganarelle and Ariste, who were 
either to marry them or dispose of them in 
marriage. Sganarelle chose Isabelle, but 
insisted on her dressing in serge, going to 
bed early, keeping at home, looking after 
the house, mending the linen, knitting 
socks, and never flirting with any one. 
The consequence was, she duped her guar- 
dian, and cajoled him into giving his 
signature to her marriage with Valkre.- 
Moli~re, L'Ecole des Marls. 
 
  Sganarelle (3 syl.). At about 63 years 
of age, Sganarelle wished to marry Dori- 
mZne (3 syl.), daughter of Alcantor, a girl 
fond of dances, parties of pleasure, and 
all the active enjoyments of young life. 
Feeling some doubts about the wisdom of 
this step, he first consults a friend, who 
dissuades him, but, seeing the advice is 
rejected, replies "Do as you like." He 
next consults two philosophers, but they 
are so absorbed in their philosophy, that 
they pay no attention to him. He then 
asks the gypsies, who take his money and 
decamp with a dance. At length, he over- 
hears Dorim~ne telling a young lover that 
she only marries the old dotard for his 
money, and that he cannot live above a 
few months; so he makes up his mind to 
decline the marriage. The father of the 
 
 
382 
 
 
SFORZA