Jean Baptiste Poquelin who is better known by his stage name Moliere. He was a 17th century French author known for his comedy. After abandoning a law career Moliere began acting, directing and writing plays in Paris and the surrounding area. The scathing satire in his plays made him several important enemies. The Middle-Class Gentleman is a wonderful comic satire. Moliere pokes fun at 17th century French society. . A wealthy tradesman, Monsieur Jourdain, yearns to become a gentleman in order to win the hand of a marchioness even though Jourdain is already married. He ends up making a fool of himself.