The Moliere Encyclopedia

by Gaines, James F.

• ISBN13: 9780313312557
• ISBN10: 0313312559
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-11-30
• Publisher: Greenwood Pub Group

Summary

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 theater in Europe, inspired his contemporaries in England, and left a lasting dramatic legacy after his death in 1673. Molire 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 Molire's life and his contributions to the stage. The volume concludes with a bibliography.

Author Biography

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.

Table of Contents

Introduction<BR>

Chronology<BR>

The Encyclopedia<BR>

Bibliography<BR>

Index