Molière

Molière (baptized January 15, 1622 – February 17, 1673), born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, was a French playwright, actor, and poet, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of comedy in the French language. He is often referred to as "the father of French comedy".

Early Life and Education

Molière was born in Paris, France, on January 15, 1622. He was the son of Jean Poquelin, a prosperous upholsterer, and Marie Cressé. Molière received a good education, and he studied law at the University of Paris.

Early Career

After graduating from university, Molière became a member of a traveling theater company. He traveled throughout France, performing in a variety of plays. In 1643, he married Armande Béjart, the daughter of one of his fellow actors.

The Illustre Théâtre

In 1645, Molière founded his own theater company, the Illustre Théâtre. The company was not successful, and it went bankrupt in 1646. Molière and his troupe then traveled to the provinces, where they performed for several years.

The Return to Paris

In 1658, Molière and his troupe returned to Paris. They performed at the Palais-Royal, where they quickly became popular. Molière's plays were often satirical and critical of the social and political conventions of his time.

Major Works

Molière wrote over 30 plays, including:

• The School for Wives (1662)
• The Misanthrope (1666)
• Tartuffe (1664)
• Don Juan (1665)
• The Miser (1668)
• The Bourgeois Gentleman (1670)
• The Imaginary Invalid (1673)

The School for Wives is a comedy about a young man who is tricked into marrying an older woman. The play is a satire of the arranged marriage system.

The Misanthrope is a comedy about a man who is so disgusted by the hypocrisy of society that he withdraws from it. The play is a meditation on the nature of friendship and love.

Tartuffe is a comedy about a hypocrite who pretends to be a devout Christian. The play was banned by the French government for several years because it was considered too critical of the Catholic Church.

Don Juan is a tragedy about a man who is obsessed with his own pleasure. The play is a classic morality tale about the dangers of hedonism.

The Miser is a comedy about a man who is so obsessed with money that he is willing to sacrifice everything else in his life. The play is a satire of the greed and materialism of the time.

The Bourgeois Gentleman is a comedy about a man who aspires to be a member of the upper class. The play is a satire of social climbing and the importance of appearances.

The Imaginary Invalid is a comedy about a hypochondriac who is so afraid of dying that he refuses to admit that he is healthy. The play is a satire of the medical profession and the fear of death.

Death and Legacy

Molière died on February 17, 1673, while performing in his play The Imaginary Invalid. He collapsed on stage and died shortly thereafter.

Molière is considered one of the greatest writers of comedy in the French language. His plays are still performed today, and they continue to be relevant and entertaining.