Born 1622, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin took up the theatre, making his stage name Moliere. He wrote social comedy, pointing out the shortcomings of the audience itself. His plays are easy to see as mildly silly, but they were not recieved in that humor. The issues of his society, 400 years ago, were painfully center stage.

17th century France, under the rule of Louis XIV, was energetically concerned in setting dynamic social norms, urging those who could almost afford it, to get on the bandwagon. It is not easy for us to understand, but the economy of France was part of this discussion. Yes, very different times. Being fashionable was not entertainment; it determined social position, influence, and survival.

Moliere died around 1673, a hugely influential man of the theatre.