Molière

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).

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 [source: www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic388302/Molière], he decided to work in a theatre. As a child, he went to the theatre regularly with his grandfather who was passionate about it. [source: Brodowsky, Paul, et al (Eds).: 162] 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, Poquelin used his stage name Molière for the first time. [source: www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/388302/Moliere] 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. From then on, Molière and King Louis XIV had an intensive relationship The King`s brother, Philippe, duc d`Orléans, became their patron and later King Louis XIV took absorbed the company which was known as “Troupe du roi” and supported Molière. Because of that the group got popular and were highly esteemed. sources: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/388302/Moliere/12109/Beginnings-in-theatre]. In 1662, Molière married Armande Béjart, the sister of his mistress Madeleine. Louis XIV was the godfather of their son who was born two years later. In 1673, Molière died after a long illness.

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. As he was interested in human nature and in everyday life [sources??] events rather than in strange events he copied the widespread hypocrisy of preciosity [what is this??] and ridiculed it. Thus, Molière`s plays, in particular the later ones, focus on human nature. [no, they do not. "Preciosity" is not in human nature. Please revise]

Among his plays are:

The School for Husbands (French: L`école de maris) (1661) The School for Wives (French: L`École des femmes) (1662) The Forced Marriage (French: Le Mariage forcé) (1664) The Princess of Elida (French: La Princesse d`Élide) (1664) Tartuffe (French: Le Tartuffe; ou l`imposteur) (1664, 1667, 1669) Don Juan (French: Don Juan) (1665) Love's Cure-All (French: L`Amour médecin) (1665) The Misanthrope (French: Le Misanthrope) (1666) A Doctor Despite Himself (French: Le Médecin malgré hui) (1666) Mélicerte (French: Mélicerte) (1666) The Sicilian (French: Le Sicilien) (1667) The Miser (French: L`Avare) (1668) Monsieur de Pourceaugnac (French: Monsieur de Pourceaugnac) (1669) The Magnificent Suitors (French: Les Amants magnifiques) (1670) Psyche (French: Psyché) (1671). Scapin's Schemings (French: Les Fourberies de Scapin) (1671) A Pretentious Countess (French: La Comtesse d`Escarbagnas) (1671) Learned Ladies (French: Les Femmes savantes) (1672) The Hypochondriac, or The Imaginary Invalid (French: Le Malade imaginaire) (1673)

Sources:

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/388302/Moliere

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/362554/comedy-of-manners

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.