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. Shakespeare gave his characters complexity while Moliere used simplicity to produce his memorable characters. The Miser is a romantic comedy about an old man who interferes with the marriage of his children.