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Synopsis: Scapin, a cunning servant, concocts complex schemes to help two young lovers overcome their fathers' reluctance to let them marry. Influence: Molière elevated the craftiness of servant characters, making them central to the comic mechanics of the farce, which became a standard for later playwrights.

Synopsis: A woodcutter, Sganarelle, is turned into a doctor against his will by a series of misunderstandings and improvisations. Molière mocks the medical profession in this play. Influence: Molière's use of slapstick, wit, and satire to mock societal norms is a hallmark of his farces, influencing the structure and humor of subsequent works in the genre.

Synopsis: Argan, from the play 'Le Malade imaginaire' (The Imaginary Invalid), is a hypochondriac who spends his days consumed by an obsession with his health. Influence: With Argan, Molière provides a critique of the medical quacks of his time and creates a legacy for the lovably delusional patient in comedy.

Synopsis: The character Sganarelle appears in various plays by Molière, often serving as a comic valet who is closely involved in the central intrigue or misunderstanding of the plot. Influence: Sganarelle is considered one of Molière's greatest comic creations, epitomizing the farcical elements of disguise, misunderstanding, and quick wit.

Synopsis: This one-act satire focuses on two young women from the provinces who reject their unrefined suitors and pursue pretentiousness, only to be tricked by their servants. Influence: Molière's mockery of pretentiousness and cultural snobbishness set the tone for critical social satire in the farce genre.

Synopsis: The play centers around Harpagon, a paranoid and miserly old man whose obsession with his wealth leads to comic situations and a tightly knotted plot that unravels through trickery and far-fetched coincidences. Influence: Molière's portrayal of Harpagon has influenced the character archetype of the miser across literary and theatrical history.

Synopsis: The story of the legendary libertine, Dom Juan, who defies all moral and social boundaries in his pursuit of pleasure, only to face dire consequences. Influence: Molière shaped the character into a more complex figure than previous iterations, cementing Dom Juan as an iconic figure in Western literature and farce.

Synopsis: The protagonist of 'Le Bourgeois gentilhomme' who seeks to elevate himself to the level of the aristocracy through humorous and ill-fated attempts. Influence: Monsieur Jourdain has become a symbol of the social climber in comedy, showing Molière's knack for creating enduring societal archetypes in the farce tradition.

Synopsis: This short play features the character Le Barbouillé dealing with his wife's suspected infidelity. Influence: Molière explores themes of marital comedy and jealousy, paving the way for them to become common tropes in farcical comedies.

Synopsis: Tartuffe, a religious hypocrite, tries to swindle the wealthy Orgon and his mother out of their fortune, bringing chaos to their household. Influence: Molière's examination of hypocrisy, particularly in relation to religious piety, was groundbreaking and set a new comedic standard for critiquing societal norms and personal vices.

Synopsis: It portrays the laughable attempts of Monsieur Jourdain, a middle-class man, to rise above his station by learning the manners and arts of the nobility. Influence: It satirizes social climbing and the bourgeoisie, influencing how farcical characters and situations are used to critique social pretensions.