1. Contrast the very first scene in the play with the final scene. Which characters are involved? Have they changed at all in the course of the action? Why does Moliere “contain” the play in this kind of structure? 2. Think of man as a creature who exists in “society,” […]
Read more Study Help Essay QuestionsCritical Essays A General View of the Play
In the closing scenes of the drama, Alceste makes an offer to Celimene which involves her retiring from society and joining him in a life of solitude. To become a hermit as he suggests to Celimene is, however, a negation of society. This is a flat denial by Alceste, then, […]
Read more Critical Essays A General View of the PlayMoliere Biography
Moliere is the pseudonym for Jean Baptiste Poquelin, one of the greatest comic geniuses the world has seen, and undoubtedly the master of “social comedy.” Almost singlehandedly, he prompted international acclaim for French social comedy, and established the form as one of the more enduring types of comedy. In the […]
Read more Moliere BiographyCharacter Analysis Philinte And Eliante
These two characters serve generally as foils to the main pair of “lovers,” Alceste and Celimene. Philinte’s role, more important than Eliante’s, exists largely as a voice of reason, especially in scenes with Alceste. He is a good friend of Alceste’s and can see both the folly and the reason […]
Read more Character Analysis Philinte And ElianteCharacter Analysis Celimene
Celimene epitomizes the society of the age and represents almost everything which Alceste finds objectionable in this society. She is young and vivacious and enjoys being a part of the social world. The setting for the play is in her house and by this means we get to know everyone […]
Read more Character Analysis CelimeneCharacter Analysis Alceste
Alceste is the main character in the play; he is, in fact, the “misanthrope” from whom the play derives its name. From the beginning to the end of the action, we witness no real change for the better in his character. Rejecting all the usual types of social amenities as […]
Read more Character Analysis AlcesteSummary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 7-8
Summary Alceste has waited for the others to leave before speaking his mind. But before he can say anything, Celimene admits that she has wronged him. She does not care for the anger of the others, but her betrayal of Alceste, she feels, is deserving of his hatred. Alceste, however, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 7-8Summary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 4-6
Summary Arsinoe, Acaste, and Clitandre enter “to clear up a little matter” with Celimene. It concerns all who are present, says Clitandre. Acaste first reads from a letter which Celimene had sent to Clitandre. In it she expressed her opinions of each of her suitors. The “little marquis” (Acaste) is […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 4-6Summary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 2-3
Summary Oronte and Celimene arrive and Oronte requests Celimene to make a choice between him or Alceste; if she chooses him, he does not want her to see Alceste any more. Celimene does not understand, since recently Oronte had praised Alceste. As Oronte is awaiting Celimene’s decision, Alceste steps forward […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 2-3Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 1
Summary Alceste has lost the court case which was first mentioned in Act I. He rants on about it to Philinte: “By dint of sheer hypocrisy, of opened and most palpable fraud, right is overthrown and justice perverted!” Alceste vows to accept his punishment to prove himself a living example […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 1