Molière: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 10:02, 18 October 2018

alias Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (1622-1673). French playwright, actor and theatre manager.

Life

Molière was born in Paris as the oldest son of Jean Poquelin, an upholsterer, and Marie Cressé. Little is known about his early years. He went to the Collège de Clermont where he was taught how to dance and to foil fence. Even though his father wanted him to work as an upholsterer as well [1], he decided to work in a theatre. As a child, he went to the theatre regularly with his grandfather who was passionate about it (Brodowsky 162).

In 1643, he, his mistress Madeleine Béjart, her family and some friends set up a drama group called L’Illustre Théâtre. Due to financial problems the group left Paris and travelled throughout the country. In 1644, Poquelin used his stage name Molière for the first time [2].

In 1658, the group returned to Paris. As Philippe d`Orléans, the only brother of King Louis XIV, became Molière`s patron, he was more successful this time. They played for the King and his royal household. Later Louis XIV patronised the company, then known as “troupe du roi”. This also brought a rise in cultural capital, social prestige and popular success [3]. In 1662, Molière married Armande Béjart, the sister of Madeleine. Louis XIV was the godfather of their son who was born two years later.

In 1673, Molière died after a long illness. The final dying stages actually came on stage. While he was acting the title role in Le Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Invalid).

Comedies

Between 1658 and 1673, Molière wrote about thirty plays. He was influenced by the Italian Commedia dell`arte, fascinated by its central elements of improvisation and exaggeration. Therefore, the characters in his plays are exaggerated in their behaviour. As an example, in his play The Miser ( L`Avare) Harpagon, the main character, is so miserly that he is only interested in defending his property. He mistrusts everyone, including his children, and in the end, the fear of losing his property drives him to insanity.

In contrast to the Commedia dell`arte, in which human weaknesses of character are ridiculed, but the protagonists were not harmed, in Molière`s plays they are not able to live a “normal” life and distance themselves from humanity. Most of Molière`s plays take place in contemporary Paris and offered satirical representations of Parisian society. He did not stick to the upper class but in his plays there are stupid as well as prudent characters from all social classes.

In the Restoration his plays were very often adapted for the English stage and proved a decisive influence. William Wycherley's The Plain Dealer, for instance, takes central elements from Molière's Le Misanthrope (1666).

Some of the most well-known comedies:

The School for Husbands (L`école de maris) (1661)

The School for Wives (L`École des femmes) (1662)

The Forced Marriage (Le Mariage forcé) (1664)

The Princess of Elida (La Princesse d`Élide) (1664)

Tartuffe (Le Tartuffe; ou l`imposteur) (1664, 1667, 1669)

Don Juan (Dom Juan) (1665)

Love's Cure-All (L`Amour médecin) (1665)

The Misanthrope ( Le Misanthrope) (1666)

A Doctor Despite Himself (Le Médecin malgré hui) (1666)

Mélicerte (Mélicerte) (1666)

The Sicilian (Le Sicilien) (1667)

The Miser (L`Avare) (1668)

Monsieur de Pourceaugnac (Monsieur de Pourceaugnac) (1669)

The Magnificent Suitors (Les Amants magnifiques) (1670)

Psyche (Psyché) (1671).

Scapin's Schemings (Les Fourberies de Scapin) (1671)

A Pretentious Countess (La Comtesse d`Escarbagnas) (1671)

Learned Ladies (Les Femmes savantes) (1672)

The Hypochondriac, or The Imaginary Invalid (Le Malade imaginaire) (1673)

Sources

"Molière." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2013. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 08. July 2013 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/388302/Moliere

"Molière." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2013. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 08. July 2013 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/362554/comedy-of-manners>

"Molière." Site Molière. 08. July 2013 <http://www.site-moliere.com/bio/>

Brodowsky, Paul, et al. (eds). Weltliteratur II: Vom Mittelalter zur Aufklärung. Bockenem: Universitätsverlag Hildesheim, 2009.

Hösle, Johannes. Molière. München: Piper, 1987.

Howarth, William D. Molière: A Playwright and His Audience. Cambridge: CUP, 1982.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-alias Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (1622-1673). French playwright, actor and theatre manager. In the Restoration his plays were very often adapted for the English stage and proved a decisive influence. [[William Wycherley]]'s ''The Plain Dealer'', for instance, takes central elements from Molière's ''Le Misanthrope'' (1666).
+alias Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (1622-1673). French playwright, actor and theatre manager.
-Molière, born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (1622 – 1673) was a popular French actor and playwright. He is famous for his comedies as he did not only stick to the traditional forms but invented a new style. Therefore, he is said to be “the greatest of all writers of French comedy.” (www.britannica.com)
+== Life ==
+Molière was born in Paris as the oldest son of Jean Poquelin, an upholsterer, and Marie Cressé. Little is known about his early years. He went to the Collège de Clermont where he was taught how to dance and to foil fence. Even though his father wanted him to work as an upholsterer as well [http://www.britannica.com/], he decided to work in a theatre. As a child, he went to the theatre regularly with his grandfather who was passionate about it (Brodowsky 162).
-His Life
+In 1643, he, his mistress Madeleine Béjart, her family and some friends set up a drama group called ''L’Illustre Théâtre''. Due to financial problems the group left Paris and travelled throughout the country. In 1644, Poquelin used his stage name Molière for the first time [http://www.britannica.com/].
-Molière was born in Paris as the oldest son of Jean Poquelin, an upholsterer and Marie Cressé. Little is known about his early years. He went to the Collège de Clermont where he was taught how to dance and to foil fence. Even though his father wanted him to work as an upholsterer as well, he decided to work in a theatre. As a child, he went to the theatre regularly with his grandfather who was passionate about it.
+In 1658, the group returned to Paris. As Philippe d`Orléans, the only brother of King [[Louis XIV]], became Molière`s patron, he was more successful this time. They played for the King and his royal household. Later Louis XIV patronised the company, then known as “troupe du roi”. This also brought a rise in cultural capital, social prestige and popular success [http://www.britannica.com]. In 1662, Molière married Armande Béjart, the sister of Madeleine. Louis XIV was the godfather of their son who was born two years later.
-In 1643, he, his girlfriend Madeleine Béjart, her family and some friends set up a drama group called “L’Illustre Théâtre”. Due to financial problems the drama group left Paris and travelled throughout the country. In 1644, Molière used his stage name for the first time.
-In 1658, the group returned to Paris. As Philippe d`Orléans, the only brother of King Louis XIV., became Molière`s patron, he was more successful this time. They were even allowed to play Nicomède for the King and his royal household. From then on, Molière and King Louis XIV had an intensive relationship. In 1662, Molière married Armande Béjart, the sister of his mistress Madeleine. King Louis XIV. was the godfather of their son who was born two years later.
-In 1673, Molière died after a long illness.
+In 1673, Molière died after a long illness. The final dying stages actually came on stage. While he was acting the title role in ''Le Malade Imaginaire'' (''The Imaginary Invalid'').
-His Comedies
+== Comedies ==
-Between 1658 and 1673, Molière wrote about thirty plays. He was influenced by the Italian Commedia dell`arte and developed it even further. He was also
-fascinated by the improvisation as an important part of Italian comedy. Plus, he liked that the characters were presented in an exaggerated way. As he was interested in human nature and in everyday life events rather than in strange events  he copied the widespread hypocrisy of preciosity and ridiculed it. Thus, Molière`s plays, in particular the later ones, focus on human nature.
-They ridicule the characters` unsocial and selfish behaviour by as the characters are represented in an exaggerated way. Molière is said to be one of the greatest playwright of the comedy of manner. This form of comedy satirizes the affectation of the upper-classes. But some of his plays such as “A Lovers' Quarrel“ (1656). belong to the comedy of intrigue. Typical of this type is that the characters are marionettes that experience a series of improbable events that cause the comic. They do not act, but rather react to the incidents.
-He also used satire a lot. Because of that, his plays were often harshly criticized. His comedy “Tartuffe” was even banned from public performance for five years.
-He invented a new style of comedy as he was the first one who set the double vision of wise and silly or real and false in relation to each other.
+Between 1658 and 1673, Molière wrote about thirty plays. He was influenced by the Italian ''Commedia dell`arte'', fascinated by its central elements of improvisation and exaggeration. Therefore, the characters in his plays are exaggerated in their behaviour. As an example, in his play ''The Miser'' ('' L`Avare'') Harpagon, the main character, is so miserly that he is only interested in defending his property. He mistrusts everyone, including his children, and in the end, the fear of losing his property drives him to insanity.
-Molière`s Comedy in Britain
+In contrast to the ''Commedia dell`arte'', in which human weaknesses of character are ridiculed, but the protagonists were not harmed, in Molière`s plays they are not able to live a “normal” life and distance themselves from humanity.
+Most of Molière`s plays take place in contemporary Paris and offered satirical representations of Parisian society.
+He did not stick to the upper class but in his plays there are stupid as well as prudent characters from all social classes.
-Molière`s comedy style had an impact on Restoration comedy in England as he influenced English playwrights such as Sir George Etherege and William Wycherley. They were the first to introduce Molière`s comedy to Restoration theatre. Etherege was fascinated by Molière`s “Les Précieuses Ridicules” as it was more vital therefore and aroused more enthusiasm than plays by English playwrights such as “The Wild Gallant” by John Dryden. In 1664, Etherege produced his first comedy “Love in a Tub” which turned out to be successful.
+In the Restoration his plays were very often adapted for the English stage and proved a decisive influence.
-William Wycherley spent five years in France. Even after his return to England he followed Molière`s career and took over French comedy in his own plays. This becomes already clear in his first play “Love in a Wood” (1671) where he transcribes contemporary social life closely. It was a huge success and even the King became interested in him and his welfare.
+[[William Wycherley]]'s ''The Plain Dealer'', for instance, takes central elements from Molière's ''Le Misanthrope'' (1666).
-With Etherege and Wycherley being the starting point, more playwrights such as Thomas Shadwell, John Crowne and even John Dryden were influenced by Molière`s comedy.
+Some of the most well-known comedies:
-Among his plays are:
-The School for Husbands (1661)
+''The School for Husbands'' (''L`école de maris'') (1661)
-The Nuisances (1661)
-The School for Wives (1662)
-The Forced Wedding (1664)
-The Princess of Elida (1664)
-Tartuffe (1664, 1667, 1669)
-Don Juan (1665)
-Love's Cure-All (1665)
-The Misanthrope (1666)
-A Doctor Despite Himself (1666)
-Mélicerte (1666)
-The Sicilian (1667)
-The Confounded Husband (1668)
-The Miser (1668)
-Monsieur de Pourceaugnac (1669)
-The Magnificent Suitors (1670)
-Psyche (1671).
-Scapin's Schemings (1671)
-A Pretentious Countess (1671)
-Learned Ladies (1672)
-The Hypochondriac, or The Imaginary Invalid (1673)
+''The School for Wives'' (''L`École des femmes'') (1662)
+''The Forced Marriage'' (''Le Mariage forcé'') (1664)
-Sources:
+''The Princess of Elida'' (''La Princesse d`Élide'') (1664)
-http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/388302/Moliere
+''Tartuffe'' (''Le Tartuffe; ou l`imposteur'') (1664, 1667, 1669)
-http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/362554/comedy-of-manners
+''Don Juan'' (''Dom Juan'') (1665)
-http://www.site-moliere.com/bio/
+''Love's Cure-All'' (''L`Amour médecin'') (1665)
-Brodowsky, Paul, et al (Eds). Weltliteratur II. Vom Mittelalter zur Aufklärung. Bockenem: Universitätsverlag Hildesheim, 2009.
+''The Misanthrope'' ('' Le Misanthrope'') (1666)
-Hösle, Johannes. Molière. Kempen: Piper, 1987.
+''A Doctor Despite Himself'' (''Le Médecin malgré hui'') (1666)
-Miles, Dudley Howe. The Influence of Molière on Restoration Comedy. New York: The Columbia University Press, 1910.
+''Mélicerte'' (''Mélicerte'') (1666)
+''The Sicilian'' (''Le Sicilien'') (1667)
+''The Miser'' (''L`Avare'') (1668)
+''Monsieur de Pourceaugnac'' (''Monsieur de Pourceaugnac'') (1669)
-Further Reading:
+''The Magnificent Suitors'' (''Les Amants magnifiques'')  (1670)
+''Psyche'' (''Psyché'') (1671).
+''Scapin's Schemings'' (''Les Fourberies de Scapin'') (1671)
+''A Pretentious Countess'' (''La Comtesse d`Escarbagnas'') (1671)
+''Learned Ladies'' (''Les Femmes savantes'') (1672)
+''The Hypochondriac, or The Imaginary Invalid'' (''Le Malade imaginaire'') (1673)
+== Sources ==
+"Molière." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2013. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 08. July 2013 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/388302/Moliere
+"Molière." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2013. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 08. July 2013 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/362554/comedy-of-manners>
+"Molière." Site Molière. 08. July 2013 <http://www.site-moliere.com/bio/>
+Brodowsky, Paul, et al. (eds). ''Weltliteratur II: Vom Mittelalter zur Aufklärung''. Bockenem: Universitätsverlag Hildesheim, 2009.
+Hösle, Johannes. ''Molière''. München: Piper, 1987.
+Howarth, William D. ''Molière: A Playwright and His Audience''. Cambridge: CUP, 1982.
+== Further Reading ==
 Knutson, Harold C. ''The Triumph of Wit: Molière and Restoration Comedy''. Columbus: Ohio State University Press, 1988.
-[[Category:Expansion]]