Biographie de Molière

Molière, whose real name was Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, was a French playwright and actor born on January 15, 1622, in Paris, France. His father, Jean Poquelin, was a successful upholsterer who served as the official supplier of furnishings to the French royal family.

Molière studied at the Collège de Clermont, where he received a classical education. However, he was more interested in the theater and began to act in small troupes while still a young man. In 1643, he left Paris and traveled throughout France for 13 years with a theater company, performing in small towns and villages.

In 1658, Molière returned to Paris and formed his own theater company, which was called "La Troupe de Monsieur." He began writing his own plays, and his first big success was "Les Précieuses ridicules" (The Affected Ladies), a comedy that satirized the pretentious manners of the French aristocracy.

Molière went on to write many more plays, including "Tartuffe," "The Misanthrope," "The School for Wives," and "The Imaginary Invalid." His plays were famous for their wit, satire, and social commentary, and they remain popular to this day.

In addition to his writing, Molière was also a talented actor and director. He often played the lead roles in his own plays and was known for his comedic timing and physical humor. However, his career was cut short when he suffered a fatal pulmonary hemorrhage while performing in his play "The Imaginary Invalid" on February 17, 1673, at the age of 51.

Despite his relatively short career, Molière is considered one of the greatest playwrights in the history of French theater. His works have been translated into many languages and continue to be performed and studied around the world.

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