A Study of Moliere's Play, Don Juan
Many men and women throughout the centuries frequently deal with their own convictions regarding morality and modern conformity. These opposing attitudes can be recognized across any time period, therefore creating a timeless battle of morality that is relevant to all. In Don Juan, Molière uses humor, character, and conflict to convey the theme that although wretched people can turn away from immortality, they are always haunted and even ruined by their own obstinacy.
Often referred to as the “father of modern French comedy,” Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, more commonly known as Molière, was born into an affluent French family in 1622. He was much more on the path towards a secure business career, due to family connections and an education at the renowned College de Clermont, than a life of theatre. Nevertheless, Molière became an actor and playwright, often noted as one of the most influential masters of Western comedic literature. His journey towards comedic greatness began after his troupe performed at the Louvre and received much jubilation from King Louis XIV and others. Soon after this, he began to attend theatre school with some of the greatest literary minds of that era. He is extremely well-known for his works, which include Le Misanthrope (The Misanthrope), L'École des Femmes (The School for Wives), Tartuffe ou L'Imposteur (Tartuffe or the Hypocrite), L'Avare (The Miser), Le Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Invalid), and Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (The Bourgeois Gentleman). Molière created the play Don Juan in order to salvage his career after the social outrage Tartuffe (1664) had perpetuated concerning social hypocrisy. This play was also banned from the theatre, which subsequently set up his literary and future physical demise. The comedic genius eventually died while performing his final play, Le Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Invalid) in 1673. He had long been affected by pulmonary tuberculosis and in the middle of acting developed a hemorrhage and a
Often referred to as the “father of modern French comedy,” Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, more commonly known as Molière, was born into an affluent French family in 1622. He was much more on the path towards a secure business career, due to family connections and an education at the renowned College de Clermont, than a life of theatre. Nevertheless, Molière became an actor and playwright, often noted as one of the most influential masters of Western comedic literature. His journey towards comedic greatness began after his troupe performed at the Louvre and received much jubilation from King Louis XIV and others. Soon after this, he began to attend theatre school with some of the greatest literary minds of that era. He is extremely well-known for his works, which include Le Misanthrope (The Misanthrope), L'École des Femmes (The School for Wives), Tartuffe ou L'Imposteur (Tartuffe or the Hypocrite), L'Avare (The Miser), Le Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Invalid), and Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (The Bourgeois Gentleman). Molière created the play Don Juan in order to salvage his career after the social outrage Tartuffe (1664) had perpetuated concerning social hypocrisy. This play was also banned from the theatre, which subsequently set up his literary and future physical demise. The comedic genius eventually died while performing his final play, Le Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Invalid) in 1673. He had long been affected by pulmonary tuberculosis and in the middle of acting developed a hemorrhage and a