That's not fair, Moliere

Today is the birthday of the famous French dramatist Moliere (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin), born in 1622. He wrote:

“Man, I can assure you, is a nasty creature.”

Besides being one of the world’s great playwrights, Moliere was an actor and director of his plays. His total command of the art is probably unrivaled in history.

Moliere’s masterpiece is The Misanthrope, which was, in part, a send-up of his own unhappy marriage.

Moliere died in Paris in 1673, shortly after playing the lead in his The Imaginary Invalid. The clergy, whom he had offended throughout his career, refused him burial on holy ground. The funeral took place at night to avoid scandal; nonetheless, thousands attended a torchlight procession worthy of one of Moliere’s productions.

Today’s Perverse Verse:

No one could be such a holy terror
As Moliere.
In plays like The Misanthrope
He skewered human love and hope.
While telling people they were vile,
He had them rolling in the aisle.