Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Molière

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Molière (January 15, 1622, Paris – February 17, 1673, Paris) was a French playwright, actor, and theater director, one of the greatest comedic writers in world literature. Born into a wealthy family, he gave up his father's job as an upholsterer and took the stage name Molière. He founded the theater company L'Illustre Théâtre in 1643, but after financial difficulties he traveled around France for 13 years, perfecting the art of comedy. Upon his return to Paris in 1658, he gained the patronage of King Louis XIV, which allowed him to succeed at the Palais-Royal theater.

Molière wrote over 30 plays, including comedies of character and farces, such as Tartuffe (1664), The Misanthrope (1666), The Miser (1668), The Learned Women (1672), and The Conceited Invalid (1673). His comedies ridiculed social vices—hypocrisy, greed, excessive piety, and social pretentiousness—using sharp humor and witty dialogue. Despite his success, he often clashed with the church and aristocracy for his satirical tone, especially in Tartuffe, which was temporarily banned. He starred in his own plays, and died after a performance of The Conceited Patient, collapsing on stage from tuberculosis.

His work influenced European literature, and his works were translated into numerous languages. Molière's contributions lie in the universality of his themes, the psychological depth of his characters, and his enduring critique of social weaknesses.