Overview

Born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin in 1622, the French playwright Moli^D`ere became one of the most influential dramatists of the 17th century. His comedies shaped the development of theater in Europe, inspired his contemporaries in England, and left a lasting dramatic legacy after his death in 1673. Moli^D`re has also inspired 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. Hundreds of A-Z entries cover topics related to his life, works, and theatrical career, including: Plays; Individual characters; Historical persons; Allusions; Influences; Cultural institutions; And much more. This scrupulously researched volume relies on verifiable facts, giving scant attention to the romantic fiction surrounding the playwright. Many of the entries list works for further reading. A chronology outlines the chief events of Moli^D`re's life and his contributions to the stage. The volume concludes with a bibliography.

Full Product Details

9780313312557

Table of Contents

Reviews

?Numerous 17th-century scholars and Moliere specialists contribute articles or entries to this long-overdue reference resource concerning the life and plays of Moliere and the conventions of his time....Essential. For all readers interested in Moliere, and all academic reference collections.?-Choice

Author Information

JAMES F. GAINES is Professor of Modern Foreign Languages at Mary Washington College. He has published several books, and his essays have appeared in such journals as French Review, Neophilologus, Kentucky Romance Quarterly, and Comparative Literature.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available