L'Ecole des Femmes (1662; The School for Women) by Molière enjoyed great success during its debut but sparked a controversy that persisted for over a year. The plot revolves around a man who, wary of the influence of older women, chooses to marry a naïve young woman, only to find himself ultimately dominated by her.

Tartuffe (1667), another work by Molière, was so contentious that it was canceled shortly after its premiere and wasn't publicly performed again for several years. Today, Tartuffe is regarded as one of Molière's masterpieces and is a favorite among his plays for student productions.

Le Malade Imaginaire (1673; The Hypochondriac) featured Molière himself in the role of the hypochondriac who fears doctors. He crafted the role to accommodate his tuberculosis-related cough, but tragically, he collapsed on stage during the fourth performance and passed away a few hours later.

The Plain Dealer (1676) by William Wycherley is an English comedy of manners from the Restoration period, often likened to Molière's The Misanthrope. It delivers a blunt and biting satire on the avarice prevalent among the upper classes.

Phedre (1677) by Jean Racine is considered the crowning achievement of one of the great seventeenth-century tragic playwrights. The drama centers on a woman who is hopelessly infatuated with her stepson.

The Importance of Being Ernest (1895) by Oscar Wilde is an English comedy of manners from the late nineteenth century. The story follows two young men, each having invented fictitious alter-egos, in a drawing-room farce that explores their romantic entanglements with two young women.