Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, also known by his stage name, Molière, was a French playwright and actor who is considered one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature. Among Molière's best-known dramas are Le Misanthrope, , L'Ecole des femmes , Tartuffe ou l'Imposteur, , L'Avare ou l'École du mensonge , Le Malade imaginaire , and Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme .

From a prosperous family and having studied at the Jesuit Clermont College , Molière was well suited to begin a life in the theatre. Thirteen years as an itinerant actor helped to polish his comic abilities while he also began writing, combining Commedia dell'Arte elements with the more refined French comedy.