Moliere - Monsieur de Pourceaugnac: 'I prefer a pleasant vice to an annoying virtue''

Molière, born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin in 1622, pursued a theatrical career after abandoning a stable position in his father's service. He co-founded the Illustre Théâtre, which faced bankruptcy, leading him to tour provincial theaters for over a decade. His return to Paris marked the beginning of a prolific writing and acting career, producing renowned works like 'Tartuffe' and 'The Misanthrope.' Molière's life ended dramatically on stage due to tuberculosis, highlighting the irony of his final role as a hypochondriac. He died in 1673 at the age of 51.