The Misanthrope by Moliere
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| The Misanthrope by Moliere |
Main characters
Alceste -
He loves Célimène and is very sarcastic with people and the way they act.
Celimene -
she is conceited and superficial about everything Alceste does not like in anyone.
Philinte -
He is a good friend of Alceste but his personality is the complete opposite, as he is less outspoken and more honest with others.
Arsinoé:
acts as a chip for Célimène to be equally clever but less superficial.
Minor characters
Eliane -
She is the kind and reasonable cousin of Selemon.
Oronti -
he loves Selemini and a poet.
Clitandre:
Another suitor trying to win Célimène's hand.
Setting
Celimene's Apartment There is a little action and a lot of dialogue in this play set in this apartment.
Plot
The play begins with a conversation between Alceste and Philinte. Alceste is very cynical about people's motives, and Flint is very sincere in believing that people should be nice to each other, even if it means wearing a fake face. We learn this from the comments of Alceste and Philinte on a poem written by their friend Oronte. Alceste thinks it's awful, while Philinte thinks it's cool. Vaillant also says that Alceste was very direct and could have tempered his criticism. Later, Alceste decided to go see Célimene and talk about their relationship. He tells her that she should get rid of the rest of the suitors and insist that he is her only true lover. The rest of the suitors in Célimène's apartment think the same as Alceste. While they are talking, Oronte enters with the marshal who tells Alceste to apologize to Oronte for the comments he made on his poem. Acaste and Clitandre then argue about who Selemen's lover is best. After this situation, Arsinoe comes to confront Selemini about her character. They debated the matter very fervently and Arsinoe failed to bring down Clement. Finally after these conversations, Alceste brings a message to everyone's attention. It is a letter from Celimene to Orontes. He tries to confront Selemen about it, but she denies such a message. Alceste wants to leave all these troubles he has behind, but Villent convinces him to stay and think about all this. Oronte then goes to Celimene to find out who he really likes, and everyone else walks in shortly thereafter. With all the characters reunited, Acaste reads Selemen's letter which reveals her feelings to everyone. Once this was revealed, Clitandre and Acaste decided it wasn't worth it, so they left. Orontes leaves her with a few words and then Arsinoe says a thing or two. Alsisti forgives her and still wants to be with her. She really doesn't want to be with him, and then Alceste decides that she doesn't really deserve it and that he doesn't really love her. Philinte and Eliante decide to marry and promise to please Alceste.
Symbols
Alceste -
symbolizes the irony and hypocrisy of the customs of that time.
Philinte -
sometimes symbolizes kindness and false friendliness of people.
Trial -
This depicts the irony and implications of telling the truth as Orontes Alcestis is punished with a trial for telling the truth.
Style
This is a French tragic comedy written in Alexandria and is clips in 6 rhythms. It has been translated into English iambic pentameter with consonant syllables. The rhythm and strong rhyme of the dialogue flow well and enhance the supposed spirit of the characters.
Philosophy
It's a costumbrista comedy that shows the hypocrisy the author saw in court in his day. He showed throughout the play that you don't have to be painfully honest all the time, and that you don't always have to be unfaithful either. There has to be a balance between the two as the truth can be conveyed tactfully.
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