Molière (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin) :: English Literature

Molire (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin) was born in Paris on January 15, 1622Molire (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin) was born in Paris on January 15,1622. His father was ace of eight valets de chambre tapissiers whotended the kings furniture and upholstery, so the young Poquelinreceived every advantage a boy could wish for. He was educated at thefinest schools (the College de Clermont in Paris.) He had access tothe kings court. But even as a child, Molire found it infinitelymore pleasant to poke fun at the aristocracy than to gent withthem. As a young boy, he learned that he could cause quite a stir bymimicking his mothers priest. His mother, a deeply religious woman, baron have broken the young satirist of this habit had she not diedbefore he was yet twelve-years-old. His father soon remarried, but inless than ternion years, this wife also passed away. At the age offifteen, Jean-Baptiste was left alone with his father and was mostlikely apprenticed to his trade.Molire and his companions made the ir dramatic debut in a convertedtennis court. Although the company was brimming with enthusiasm, noneof them had much experience and when they began to charge admission,the results proved disastrous. Over the course of the next two years,the tiny company appeared in three different theatres in variousparts of Paris, and each time, they failed miserably. Several of theoriginal members dropped out of the company during this period.Finally, the seven remaining actors unflinching to forget Paris and go ona tour of the provinces. For the next twelve years, they would travelfrom t feature to town, performing and honing their craft.Over the course of the next long dozen years, Molire worked feverishlyto make his company the most respected dramatic troupe in Paris.(Eventually, they were awarded the coveted title Troupe of theKing.) He directed his own plays and often played the leading rolehimself.On February 17, 1673, Molire suffered a hemorrhage while playing therole of the hypochondri ac Argan in The Imaginary Invalid. A bit ironicisnt it. He had insisted on going through with the performance inspite of the advice of his wife and friends saying, There are fifty pitiable workers who have only their daily wage to live on. What willbecome of them if the performance does not take place?