Final answer:
Molière, a master of French comedy, fused various styles to create influential plays that satirized society. The irony of his death—while wearing green—adds a tragic dimension to his comedic legacy and has influenced theatrical superstitions in France.
Step-by-step explanation:
Molière's Contribution to French Theatre
Jean Baptiste Poquelin, better known as Molière, played a significant role in shaping French comedy in a manner comparable to how Pierre Corneille and Jean Racine defined French tragedy. Molière was particularly admired by King Louis XIV and managed to blend neoclassicism, commedia dell'arte, and French farce into his plays, which notably include Tartuffe, The Misanthrope, and The Imaginary Invalid. His works ridiculed societal and moral pretenses and were highly influential during his time and remain so today.
Ironically, despite his success in satirical comedy, Molière's life ended in a way that mirrored the tragic themes he so often parodied. It is said that he died wearing a green costume during a performance of one of his plays, which has since given the color green a reputation for bad luck in French theatre. This event adds a layer of irony to Molière's legacy, considering his comedic prowess typically involved twisting the expectations of his audiences.