About
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known as Molière, was born in Paris in 1622. After studying with the Jesuits, he founded the Illustre-Théâtre in 1643, then toured the French provinces for thirteen years. Back in Paris, he gained the patronage of Louis XIV. Author of about thirty plays, he created major comedies such as Tartuffe, Dom Juan, The Misanthrope, and The Imaginary Invalid. He died in 1673, shortly after a performance. He is regarded as the greatest French comic playwright and the father of modern theatre.
* 1622-01-15 — † 1673-02-17
Major works
- Les Précieuses ridicules (1659)comedy
- L'École des femmes (1662)comedy
- Tartuffe (1669)comedy
- Dom Juan (1665)comedy
- Le Misanthrope (1666)comedy
Key milestones
- 1643Co-founded the theatre company L'Illustre-Théâtre with the Béjart family.
- 1658Performed before Louis XIV at the Louvre, gaining the title Troupe du Roi.
- 1673Died in Paris after a performance of The Imaginary Invalid.
Themes
hypocrisymarriage and lovesocial satirewomen's educationmedicine and charlatanism
Sources: britannica.com · comedie-francaise.fr · britishmuseum.org