Pierre Beaumarchais is an outstanding French playwright and author who has gained worldwide fame thanks to his immortal works on the cheerful Chef Figaro. It is indicative of the fact that, despite its extensive activity, it became popular precisely after the release of the trilogy of the brilliant and cheerful barber, who subsequently re-qualified as a count manager.
early years
Pierre Beaumarchais was born in Paris in 1732 in the family of a watchmaker. The father wanted to teach his son his craft, but the future writer at a very young age discovered outstanding musical abilities. In addition to the main lessons of watch mechanics, Pierre was very active in studying music. Thanks to his perseverance, perseverance, as well as ability, he soon gained access to the upper world. Then, for a special chic, he took a well-known surname.
After some time, Pierre Beaumarchais became a member of the royal court, as he taught the daughters of Louis XV playing the harp. Twice he married favorably. Thanks to these marriages, Beaumarchais gained influence in aristocratic circles. This social status allowed him to engage in financial transactions, which brought him a lot of money. However, Beaumarchais was subsequently brought to trial and even spent several days in prison.
In Spain
In 1764, Pierre Beaumarchais went to Madrid to try his family case. Then he showed outstanding diplomatic skills, very quickly falling into confidence in the Spanish ministers. Here, Pierre showed his qualities as a clever diplomat and intriguer, having achieved the resignation of his opponent. This stay in Spain subsequently affected his work, as the famous trilogy about Figaro takes place in this country.
First success
Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais was carried away by drama and theater, and in 1767 he wrote the play Eugene, which was a great success with the public. This drama has direct references to the mentioned family history that happened to Beaumarchais. His sister, who lived in Spain, was deceived by her husband, and the future author stood up for her honor. Something similar the viewer can observe in the work in question.
The play Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais moved to London, where the impoverished baron arrives from Ireland with his daughter and brother. Eugene falls in love with the young count, but he decided to break this girl’s word and marry a rich bride. Then the brother of the deceived heroine with arms in her hands defends the honor of her sister. In this not very intricate plot, you can see references to the real story that happened to the author.
Failure
Pierre Augustin Beaumarchais first intended to work in the genre of serious drama. It was in this spirit that his first play was sustained. And here it should be noted that, despite the success of the public, the work was nevertheless typical of the literature of the time.
In 1770, his new play, The Lyon Merchant, was presented on the stage. This time, the author transferred the action to the sphere of bourgeoisie and bourgeois relations. This was new for that time, and yet the serious moralizing plot clearly did not work out for the author. The work, which tells about the main character threatening bankruptcy, clearly did not appeal to the public. The play was expecting a crushing failure.
Success
Pierre Augustin de Beaumarchais took place as the author of comedy plays. In 1773, his new essay, entitled The Barber of Seville, was released, which was a tremendous success. The story that tells of the adventures of the cheerful Chef Figaro, who, with the help of his cunning, dexterity and agility, helps his master Count Almaviva to get his bride, is still popular. The following two parts cemented success, although in the final play the author again returned to moralizing. However, the first two compositions are still popular, and several operas have even been written on their subjects.
Entrepreneurship and advocacy
Beaumarchais established himself not only as a brilliant playwright, but also as a businessman. When the War of Independence began in the USA, he undertook to supply weapons, on which he made millions. After some time, Beaumarchais led a rather scandalous lawsuit, which he defeated a professional lawyer. however, this did not bring him public sympathy.
Very soon Beaumarchais went bankrupt, as he had not fulfilled his obligations for the supply of weapons. From trial he was saved by flight abroad. It is significant that in such cases Beaumarchais wrote memoirs in which he tried to justify his actions. They are interesting in that they show the author’s commitment to enlightenment views.
In his memoirs, Beaumarchais not only justifies himself, but also attacks the modern judicial system, accusing her of arbitrariness and lawlessness. Such pathos was characteristic of many works of the 18th century.
Beaumarchais died on May 18, 1799.