Imagines what happened in a period that is undocumented in famous French playwright Moliere's own biography: the years between his release from prison in 1645 at age 22 (because his theatre company went bankrupt and he could not pay his debts) and his return to Paris 13 years later after a triumphant career as a travelling playwright and actor. Focuses on Moliere's relationship with Monsieur Jourdain, a rich bourgeois who wants to learn how to act. Jourdain's wife Elmire catches the eye of Moliere, while Jourdain himself becomes enamoured of the young Celimene.