Molière (1622-73) is considered to be France's greatest comic playwright and is still the most widely performed of all playwrights in France today. His effortlessly comic approach to the ageless subject of the foibles of humankind, together with his sharp sense of satire and his experience as an all-round man of the theatre, combine to create comedies that are at once topical and enduring, as well as highly theatrical. An in-depth study of the context of Molière's work will certainly enhance one's appreciation of its nuances and subtleties, but even the uninitiated will appreciate its timeless humour and lasting relevance.
Born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, in Paris, Molière was the son of a prosperous upholsterer attached to the court of Louis XIII. Molière was educated at the Jesuit
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Citation: Prest, Julia. "Molière". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 11 December 2003 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=3150, accessed 24 November 2024.]
