1622-1673.
Distinguished Writers of the Age of Louis XIV. 97
Family of Poquelin 97
1622. Birth of Jean Baptiste Poquelin, who assumed the Name of
Molière 98
His Studies at College 99
His Fellow-Students under Gassendi 99
1641. Ætat. 19. Attends on Louis XIII. as Royal Valet-de-Chambre 100
Execution of Cinq-Mars 100
Cardinal de Richelieu's Plays, and Encouragement of Actors 101
1643. Ætat. 21. Molière studies the Law 101
Molière's taking the Stage for his Profession offensive to his
Relatives 101
His Theatrical Company 102
The Fronde and Civil War injurious to the Theatre 102
Molière's Company perform at Bordeaux, where he produces an
unsuccessful Tragedy 103
His early Comedies 103
His excellent Farcical Interludes performed at the Prince de
Conti's Mansion of Pezenas 105
Molière and his Comedians established in Paris 106
They perform at Court 106
"Les Précieuses Ridicules," a Satire on the Hôtel Rambouillet 107
The Poet Voiture 108
1659. Ætat. 37. Molière's Satire of the Affectation then in Fashion 109
Fête given by the Finance Minister Fouquet to Louis XIV. 111
Le grand Condé patronises Molière 113
Molière decried for being an Actor, is protected in his duties as
Royal Valet-de-Chambre by Louis XIV. 114
Molière's Marriage 115
He writes "l'Ecole des Femmes" 117
The Court Ballets 118
"Tartuffe" 119
The Soldiers of the King's Body Guard, deprived of their free
Admission to the Theatre, create a Riot 121
1666. Ætat. 44. "Le Misanthrope" 122
Scene from the "Amphitryon" 124
Molière writes "l'Avare" 127
Scene from the Comedy of "George Dandin" 127
Unprecedented Success of "Tartuffe" 126
Friendship of Molière with Boileau, Racine, and the Wits of his
Time 131
A Supper Party described 131
"Monsieur de Pourceaugnac" 132
Molière's Comedy of "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme" 133
Scene from "Les Femmes Savantes" 135
1673. Molière writes "Le Malade Imaginaire" 138
Ætat. 51. Is carried from the Stage in a dying State 139
Funeral Rites denied him 140
Character of Molière 141
His Charity 143
His Style 146
His Troop of Comedians dispersed 148