Molière

Definition

Molière was a French playwright and actor, widely regarded as one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature. His works are characterized by sharp wit, social commentary, and a focus on human follies, which influenced many writers, including those of the Restoration period in England, such as William Congreve. Molière's comedic style often includes elements of satire that explore themes of love, marriage, and the hypocrisy of societal norms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Molière's most famous plays include 'Tartuffe,' 'The Misanthrope,' and 'The School for Wives,' all of which highlight social hypocrisy.
2. His comedic approach often employed farce and clever wordplay, making his characters both relatable and ridiculous.
3. Molière faced significant criticism from religious groups for his portrayal of hypocrisy and moral failings in society.
4. He had a profound impact on the development of French comedy and influenced many English playwrights, including William Congreve.
5. Molière's unique blend of humor and critique paved the way for later comedic forms, including those seen in Restoration theatre.

Review Questions

• How did Molière's comedic style influence the development of plays by William Congreve?
  • Molière's comedic style is marked by sharp satire and a focus on social critiques, which set a precedent for later playwrights like William Congreve. Congreve adopted Molière's techniques of using wit and humor to expose societal follies in his own works. In plays like 'The Way of the World' and 'Love for Love,' one can see echoes of Molière’s influence in character development and thematic exploration of love and deception.
• In what ways do themes from Molière's works appear in 'The Way of the World' and 'Love for Love'?
  • 'The Way of the World' and 'Love for Love' incorporate themes similar to those found in Molière’s plays, such as the complexities of love and the critique of social pretenses. Both Congreve’s plays reflect Molière’s exploration of human behavior through humorous interactions among characters who navigate romantic entanglements and societal expectations. This connection underscores the continuity of comedic tradition from Molière to Restoration comedy.
• Evaluate the significance of Molière's influence on Restoration comedy, particularly focusing on how it shaped the narrative structure and character archetypes found in Congreve's work.
  • Molière's influence on Restoration comedy is significant as it shaped not only narrative structure but also character archetypes commonly seen in Congreve's work. His use of complex characters representing societal flaws laid a foundation for the multi-dimensional portrayals in Congreve’s plays. This evolution is evident in how Congreve employs stock characters reminiscent of Molière but adds layers that address contemporary issues in 17th-century England. The blending of comedy with social commentary became a hallmark that defined the era’s literary landscape.

Related terms

Commedia dell'arte: An early form of theatrical performance characterized by improvised dialogue and stock characters, influencing Molière's comedic style.

Satire: A genre of literature that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock individuals, institutions, or societal norms, prevalent in Molière's works.

Restoration Comedy:

A genre of English comedy that emerged during the Restoration period, featuring themes of love and social manners, heavily influenced by the works of Molière.