The Learned Women (eBook)

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière (1622–1673), stands as one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature. Born to a prosperous upholstery family, Molière found his passion in the theatre. In 1643, he became the leader of the theatrical company called Illustre-Théâtre which eventually went bankrupt, leading him to spend several years touring the provinces to evade debtors. His experiences with provincial audiences honed his skills as an actor, director, and playwright. It was in 1658 that Molière's troupe returned to Paris and began to gain favor with King Louis XIV, enjoying royal patronage. His oeuvre consists of comedies that satirize the pretensions and hypocrisies of his society. 'The Learned Women' (Les Femmes savantes, 1672) is one such play that critiques the pedantic and pretentious nature of the intellectual pretensions that were apparent in the salons of his time. Molière's literary style blends farce and satire, employing comedic devices such as irony, and wit to lampoon his subjects in a manner that was both entertaining and thought-provoking. His works have been extensively adapted and translated, and his profound influence on the French language has led to its occasional designation as 'the language of Molière'. His contributions to theatre are celebrated in the annual Molière Awards, France's national theatre awards.