The Moliere Encyclopedia

Born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin in 1622, the French playwright Moliere became one of the most influential dramatists of the 17th century. His comedies shaped the development of theatre in Europe, inspired his contemporaries in England, and left a lasting dramatic legacy after his death in 1673. Moliere has also generated a vast body of scholarship, and recent work has dispelled many of the myths surrounding his career. This reference provides English-speaking readers with a current and comprehensive guide to his life and works. A chronology outlines the chief events in his life and his contributions to the stage. This is followed by hundreds of alphabetically arranged entries on topics related to his life and theatrical career. Included are entries for individual characters, plays and historical persons, as well as for his allusions, influences and cultural institutions. Scrupulously researched, the volume relies on verifiable facts and gives little attention to the romantic fiction surrounding the playwright. Many of the entries list works for further reading, and the volume concludes with a bibliography.