-
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, later known as Molière, was born on January 15, 1622, in Paris, France. His father was a wealthy upholsterer of the royal household, giving him an early glimpse into upper class life and the absurdities of it. -
He studied at the prestigious Jesuit Collège de Clermont, where he received a strong education in Latin, philosophy, and classical literature. His exposure to ancient comedies by Platupus and Terence inspired his later works. There he learned Latin, philosophy and classical drama, which also influenced him later on
-
Following his father’s wishes, Molière studies law and briefly works as a lawyer. However, he soon loses interest and turns towards theater. -
Molière teamed up with actress Madeleine Béjart and others to create the Illustre Théâtre in Paris. This marked the start of his life as both actor and playwright, though the company initially struggled financially -
When the theater went bankrupt, Molière was imprisoned for debt at the Châtelet prison. After his release, he joined a traveling troupe, which helped him refine his skills and gain experience. -
For twelve years, Molière and his troupe toured southern France, performing in towns and at noble estates. These years taught him how to please audiences and shaped his sense of comedy.
-
During his touring period, Molière wrote L’Étourdi, a lively farce about confusion and mistaken identity. It became one of his earliest major successes and showed his talent for clever plots. -
Molière returned to Paris with his troupe and performed before King Louis XIV at the Louvre. The King’s support earned him prestige and opportunities to perform regularly in the capital. -
His play The Affected Ladies mocked the overly refined manners of Parisian high society. It was a huge success and established Molière as a brilliant new voice in French comedy. -
With royal favor, Molière’s company moved into the Palais-Royal Theatre, one of the most prestigious venues in Paris. This would be the main stage for his future plays. -
Molière married Armande Béjart, a much younger actress, and wrote The School for Wives, which explored jealousy and marriage. The play’s daring ideas about women’s education sparked public debate and scandal. -
To defend himself from critics, Molière wrote this witty response play. It cleverly mocked those who had attacked The School for Wives and turned the controversy into more comedy. -
Tartuffe exposed religious hypocrisy and false devotion, angering church officials who banned it. Despite this, Louis XIV personally supported Molière and allowed later versions to be performed -
Molière’s bold and dark comedy Dom Juan portrayed a rebellious nobleman who defies religion and morality. It was quickly censored for its irreverence but remains one of his most complex works. -
Considered one of his greatest plays, The Misanthrope explores honesty and social hypocrisy through the character of Alceste. Although it wasn’t an immediate hit, it is now viewed as a masterpiece of character comedy -
This sharp satire of greed centers on Harpagon, a man obsessed with money above all else. The play combines humor and realism, showcasing Molière’s mastery of human flaws. -
Created with composer Jean-Baptiste Lully, this play mocked middle-class people who try to imitate nobility. It blended spoken comedy with music and dance, becoming a royal favorite. -
Molière collaborated again with Jean-Baptiste and poet Pierre Corneille on this lavish production. Mixing mythology, music, and spectacular stage effects, it reflected the grandeur of Louis XIV’s court -
In this comedy where a man id obsessed with illness, Molière played the main role himself. Ironically, during the fourth performance, he collapsed on stage and died shortly afterward on February 17, 1673. -
During the fourth performance of The imaginary invalid, Molière collapsed in stage and died shortly afterwards. It was later found out he died of a pulmonary Hemorrhage (bleeding in the lungs) brought on by tuberculosis (A chronic lung disease he had suffered for years). His death was one of the most famous in theatre because he died in his own play as the “sick man”. -
Because actors were denied Christian burials, Molière was buried at night in unconsecrated ground. Years later, he was reburied with honor, and his plays became classics of world literature.