# Molière

> French playwright and actor (1622–1673)

**Wikidata**: [Q687](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q687)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molière)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/moliere

## Summary
Molière was a French playwright and actor (1622–1673) known for his satirical comedies that exposed social hypocrisy and human folly. He is celebrated as one of the greatest comedians of the 17th century, shaping theatrical art with works like *The Misanthrope* and *Tartuffe*.

## Biography
- Born: January 15, 1622, Paris, France
- Nationality: French
- Education: Attended the Collège de Clermont and Lycée Louis-le-Grand
- Known for: Writing satirical comedies that critiqued French society
- Employer(s): Royal Court of Louis XIV, Théâtre du Palais-Royal
- Field(s): Theatre, literature, satire

## Contributions
- Wrote *The Misanthrope* (1666), a comedy exposing social pretension and hypocrisy.
- Authored *Tartuffe* (1664), a play satirizing religious hypocrisy and materialism.
- Created *The Imaginary Invalid* (1673), a farcical comedy about a man pretending to be ill.
- Wrote *The School for Wives* (1662), a comedy about gender roles and marriage.
- Produced *The Miser* (1668), a play critiquing greed and social climbing.
- Wrote *Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme* (1670), a comedy-ballet blending satire and musical performance.
- Authored *The Imaginary Cuckold* (1660), a one-act comedy about deception and marriage.
- Wrote *Psyché* (1671), a tragicomédie-ballet exploring love and betrayal.
- Created *Monsieur de Pourceaugnac* (1669), a comedy-ballet about a man’s misadventures.
- Wrote *The Blunderer* (1653), a comedy about a man’s failed schemes.
- Authored *The School for Husbands* (1661), a comedy about marriage and deception.
- Wrote *L'Impromptu de Versailles* (1663), a play about a royal impromptu.
- Created *L'Amour Médecin* (1665), a comedy about love and medicine.
- Wrote *Les Précieuses ridicules* (1659), a satire of the "Précieuses," a group of affected women.
- Produced *Les Fâcheux* (1661), a comedy-ballet about a man’s failed schemes.
- Wrote *Les Femmes Savantes* (1672), a comedy about women’s education and social roles.
- Created *Les Amants Magnifiques* (1670), a comedy-ballet about love and deception.
- Wrote *Le Sicilien ou l'Amour Peintre* (1667), a comedy-ballet about a painter’s love.
- Authored *Le Médecin Volant* (1645), a comedy about a traveling doctor.
- Wrote *Le Médecin malgré lui* (1666), a comedy about a man pretending to be ill.
- Created *Marriage by Compulsion* (1664), a comedy about forced marriage.
- Wrote *Lovers' Quarrels* (1656), a comedy about love and deception.
- Authored *Princess of Elis* (1664), a comedy about a princess’s love.
- Wrote *La Jalousie du Barbouillé* (1653), a comedy about jealousy and deception.

## FAQs
**What was Molière's primary occupation?**
Molière was a French playwright and actor, known for his satirical comedies that critiqued 17th-century French society.

**Where did Molière study?**
Molière attended the Collège de Clermont and Lycée Louis-le-Grand, where he developed his skills in theatre and literature.

**What are some of Molière's most famous works?**
Molière's most famous works include *The Misanthrope*, *Tartuffe*, *The Imaginary Invalid*, and *The School for Wives*.

**Where did Molière work?**
Molière worked at the Royal Court of Louis XIV and the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, where he wrote and performed his plays.

**What was Molière's style of writing?**
Molière's writing style was satirical and comedic, often exposing social hypocrisy and human folly in his plays.

**What influenced Molière's work?**
Molière was influenced by Roman playwright Plautus and the commedia dell'arte, which shaped his satirical approach to theatre.

**What is Molière's legacy in theatre?**
Molière's legacy in theatre includes shaping the development of comedy and satire, influencing playwrights like Ludvig Holberg, and establishing the Théâtre du Palais-Royal as a leading theatre.

## Why They Matter
Molière's work revolutionized theatre by blending satire, comedy, and social critique. His plays, such as *The Misanthrope* and *Tartuffe*, exposed the hypocrisy and folly of 17th-century French society, making them timeless critiques of human nature. His influence extended beyond France, inspiring playwrights worldwide and shaping the development of comedy and satire in theatre. Molière's contributions to literature and theatre remain foundational, ensuring his enduring relevance in cultural and artistic history.

## Notable For
- Writing *The Misanthrope*, a comedy exposing social pretension and hypocrisy.
- Authoring *Tartuffe*, a play satirizing religious hypocrisy and materialism.
- Creating *The Imaginary Invalid*, a farcical comedy about a man pretending to be ill.
- Writing *The School for Wives*, a comedy about gender roles and marriage.
- Producing *The Miser*, a play critiquing greed and social climbing.
- Wrote *Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme*, a comedy-ballet blending satire and musical performance.
- Authored *The Imaginary Cuckold*, a one-act comedy about deception and marriage.
- Wrote *Psyché*, a tragicomédie-ballet exploring love and betrayal.
- Created *Monsieur de Pourceaugnac*, a comedy-ballet about a man’s misadventures.
- Wrote *The Blunderer*, a comedy about a man’s failed schemes.
- Authored *The School for Husbands*, a comedy about marriage and deception.
- Wrote *L'Impromptu de Versailles*, a play about a royal impromptu.
- Created *L'Amour Médecin*, a comedy about love and medicine.
- Wrote *Les Précieuses ridicules*, a satire of the "Précieuses," a group of affected women.
- Produced *Les Fâcheux*, a comedy-ballet about a man’s failed schemes.
- Wrote *Les Femmes Savantes*, a comedy about women’s education and social roles.
- Created *Les Amants Magnifiques*, a comedy-ballet about love and deception.
- Wrote *Le Sicilien ou l'Amour Peintre*, a comedy-ballet about a painter’s love.
- Authored *Le Médecin Volant*, a comedy about a traveling doctor.
- Wrote *Le Médecin malgré lui*, a comedy about a man pretending to be ill.
- Created *Marriage by Compulsion*, a comedy about forced marriage.
- Wrote *Lovers' Quarrels*, a comedy about love and deception.
- Authored *Princess of Elis*, a comedy about a princess’s love.
- Wrote *La Jalousie du Barbouillé*, a comedy about jealousy and deception.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Molière was born on January 15, 1622, in Paris, France. He attended the Collège de Clermont and Lycée Louis-le-Grand, where he developed his skills in theatre and literature. His early education laid the foundation for his future career as a playwright and actor.

### Career and Works
Molière's career began in the 1640s, when he wrote and performed his first plays. He worked at the Royal Court of Louis XIV and the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, where he wrote and performed his satirical comedies. His works, such as *The Misanthrope*, *Tartuffe*, and *The Imaginary Invalid*, exposed social hypocrisy and human folly, making them timeless critiques of 17th-century French society.

### Influence and Legacy
Molière's influence extended beyond France, inspiring playwrights worldwide and shaping the development of comedy and satire in theatre. His contributions to literature and theatre remain foundational, ensuring his enduring relevance in cultural and artistic history. His legacy includes shaping the development of comedy and satire, influencing playwrights like Ludvig Holberg, and establishing the Théâtre du Palais-Royal as a leading theatre.

### Notable Works
Molière's notable works include *The Misanthrope* (1666), *Tartuffe* (1664), *The Imaginary Invalid* (1673), *The School for Wives* (1662), *The Miser* (1668), *Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme* (1670), *The Imaginary Cuckold* (1660), *Psyché* (1671), *Monsieur de Pourceaugnac* (1669), *The Blunderer* (1653), *The School for Husbands* (1661), *L'Impromptu de Versailles* (1663), *L'Amour Médecin* (1665), *Les Précieuses ridicules* (1659), *Les Fâcheux* (1661), *Les Femmes Savantes* (1672), *Les Amants Magnifiques* (1670), *Le Sicilien ou l'Amour Peintre* (1667), *Le Médecin Volant* (1645), *Le Médecin malgré lui* (1666), *Marriage by Compulsion* (1664), *Lovers' Quarrels* (1656), *Princess of Elis* (1664), and *La Jalousie du Barbouillé* (1653).

### Influence on Theatre
Molière's work revolutionized theatre by blending satire, comedy, and social critique. His plays, such as *The Misanthrope* and *Tartuffe*, exposed the hypocrisy and folly of 17th-century French society, making them timeless critiques of human nature. His influence on theatre includes shaping the development of comedy and satire, inspiring playwrights worldwide, and establishing the Théâtre du Palais-Royal as a leading theatre.

### Legacy in Literature
Molière's contributions to literature include writing satirical comedies that critiqued French society, shaping the development of comedy and satire, and inspiring playwrights worldwide. His works remain foundational in literary history, ensuring his enduring relevance in cultural and artistic history. His legacy includes influencing playwrights like Ludvig Holberg and establishing the Théâtre du Palais-Royal as a leading theatre.

### Personal Life
Molière's personal life included his birth in Paris, France, on January 15, 1622, and his education at the Collège de Clermont and Lycée Louis-le-Grand. He worked at the Royal Court of Louis XIV and the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, where he wrote and performed his plays. His personal life and career were intertwined, shaping his contributions to literature and theatre.

### Death and Impact
Molière died on February 17, 1673, in Paris, France. His death marked the end of an era in theatre, but his legacy continued to influence playwrights and theatregoers worldwide. His impact on literature and theatre remains significant, ensuring his enduring relevance in cultural and artistic history. His contributions to comedy and satire continue to be studied and celebrated today.

## References

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2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
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35. [Oeuvres complètes](https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl/collectie/87421-onbekend-oeuvres-completes)
36. [Le bourgeois gentilhomme, 1909. 1909](https://hdl.handle.net/21.12139/7b7009b4-3843-47aa-9eef-a5e30c6433a9)
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