The duty of comedy is to correct men by amusing them

The duty of comedy is to correct men by amusing them

Molière, the famous French playwright and actor, is often considered a master of comedy. His works, such as "Tartuffe" and "The Misanthrope," are known for their sharp wit, clever wordplay, and biting social commentary. Molière believed that the duty of comedy was not just to entertain, but also to educate and correct the audience.

In his plays, Molière used humor to expose the flaws and follies of society. He satirized the hypocrisy of the upper class, the pretentiousness of the clergy, and the foolishness of human nature in general. By holding up a mirror to society and showing its absurdities in a humorous light, Molière aimed to provoke laughter and reflection in his audience.

One of Molière's most famous works, "Tartuffe," is a scathing critique of religious hypocrisy. The title character is a con man who pretends to be a pious and virtuous man, but is actually a fraud and a hypocrite. Through the character of Tartuffe, Molière exposes the dangers of blind faith and the manipulation of religion for personal gain. By making the audience laugh at Tartuffe's ridiculous behavior, Molière forces them to confront the darker side of human nature and question their own beliefs and values.