La vie et l'œuvre de Molière

• Molière is considered one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature
• His real name was Jean-Baptiste Poquelin
• He was born in Paris in January 1622 and died in February 1673

Life and Career

• Molière abandoned a comfortable bourgeois life to become an actor
• In 1643, he co-founded the Illustre Théâtre with the Béjart family
• The Illustre Théâtre company quickly went bankrupt
• Molière joined a traveling theatre troupe for about 13 years
• He gained experience as an actor, director, and playwright during this time
• Molière returned to Paris in 1658 and performed before Louis XIV
• His troupe became known as the Troupe de Monsieur (the King's brother)
• Later, it was called the Troupe du Roi (the King's Troupe)
• Molière's plays often satirized social foibles and pretensions
• He faced criticism from religious groups and other playwrights
• In 1662, Molière married Armande Béjart, which caused some controversy
• He suffered from a pulmonary illness
• While performing in "The Imaginary Invalid" in 1673, he collapsed on stage
• Molière died shortly after, and was afforded a Christian burial only through the intervention of the King

Key Works

• "The Misanthrope" (Le Misanthrope) is a comedy of manners
• First performed in 1666, it explores the hypocrisy of French aristocratic society
• Alceste, the protagonist, is harshly critical of social conventions
• He struggles with his love for the coquette Célimène
• "The School for Wives" (L'École des femmes) is a comedy focusing on themes of education and marriage
• It premiered in 1662, and tells the story of Arnolphe, who tries to ensure his marriage by raising his ward, Agnès, in ignorance
• "Tartuffe" (Tartuffe, or The Impostor) is a satirical play about religious hypocrisy
• It was first performed in 1664 but faced immediate controversy and censorship
• The play critiques blind faith and the abuse of religious piety for personal gain
• "The Miser" (L'Avare) is a comedy centered around the character of Harpagon
• First performed in 1668, Harpagon is obsessed with his wealth and willing to sacrifice his children's happiness for it
• "The Bourgeois Gentleman" (Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme) is a comedy-ballet
• Created in 1670, the play mocks social climbing and the pretensions of the middle class
• Monsieur Jourdain, the protagonist, attempts to learn the manners of the aristocracy

Style and Themes

• Molière's plays are characterized by wit, satire, and social commentary
• He used humor to expose the follies and vices of individuals and society
• Hypocrisy, affectation, and social climbing are recurring themes in his work
• Molière's characters are often exaggerated types representing different social classes and professions
• His plays blend elements of farce, comedy of manners, and social satire
• He employed both prose and verse in his plays, depending on the subject matter and desired effect
• Molière followed the classical unities of time, place, and action in many of his plays
• His work reflects the social and cultural context of 17th-century France
• Molière’s plays often sparked controversy due to their critical portrayal of powerful individuals and institutions

Influence and Legacy

• Molière's work has had a lasting impact on French and world literature
• He is considered the father of French comedy
• His plays continue to be performed and adapted worldwide
• Molière's influence can be seen in the works of later playwrights such as:
  • William Wycherley
  • Richard Brinsley Sheridan
  • Oscar Wilde
• The prestigious French theatre, the Comédie-Française, is also known as "La Maison de Molière"
• Many phrases and expressions from his plays have become part of the French language
• Molière's plays offer insights into the social and cultural values of his time
• His work continues to resonate with audiences due to its timeless themes and humor