Summary At the very moment that Alceste is decrying the faithless Celimene, she enters the room. Alceste begins a lengthy tirade about Celimene’s perfidy, the blows he has been dealt by fortune, and the inability of his reason to restrain his passions. He presents the letter to Celimene with a […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scenes 3-4Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 2
Summary At the moment that Philinte is making advances to Eliante, Alceste enters ranting that Celimene has been unfaithful to him. He claims to have in his possession a love letter which Celimene has written to Oronte. Philinte tries to calm him, saying that the letter simply might have given […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 1
Summary Philinte recounts to Eliante the settlement of the quarrel between Oronte and Alceste and the latter’s unbending obstinacy. Alceste would not change his opinion about Oronte’s verses. The best he would do was to wish “that I could have thought better of your sonnet.” On this note, Alceste and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 7
Summary Arsinoe immediately begins to flatter Alceste by telling him that his merits are not justly appreciated and that he should be more in favor with the court. Alceste, however, points out that he has done absolutely nothing to warrant the attention of the court, and, furthermore, the court should […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 7Summary and Analysis Act III: Scenes 5-6
Summary Arsinoe immediately tells Celimene that she has come to prove her love and affections for the younger person by telling her all of the gossip that has been circulating about her. She explains that Celimene’s conduct is beginning to win a certain amount of notoriety, and that recently in […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scenes 5-6Summary and Analysis Act III: Scenes 1-4
Summary The fop, Acaste, is telling Clitandre about his own merits. He can find no reason to be discontent with himself, since he is rich, young, and of a good family, and furthermore, he exhibits a certain style in everything he does. He always sits on the stage during productions […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scenes 1-4Summary and Analysis Act II: Scenes 5-7
Summary Almost as if to vex Celimene, Alceste decides that he will stay while she is entertaining her other suitors. He furthermore announces that he will force her to “declare yourself. — For their satisfaction or mine.” Along with Acaste and Clitandre, Celimene’s cousin Eliante, and Alceste’s friend, Philinte, enter […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scenes 5-7Summary and Analysis Act II: Scenes 1-4
Summary Alceste and his beloved Celimene are squabbling over her encouragement of rival suitors. Alceste is jealous and cannot tolerate competitors for Celimene’s affections or attentions. He is especially disturbed by favors bestowed on one Clitandre, with his blond periwig, frills at his knees, and his affected falsetto voice. Celimene […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scenes 1-4Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 3
Summary Philinte points out the trouble with being too sincere: “Now you’ve got an ugly quarrel on your hands.” Alceste refuses to budge from his position and maintains that he will renounce all of mankind. He even wants to escape from Philinte. Analysis The final scene brings to a close […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 2
Summary Oronte, a rival suitor for the hand of Celimene, interrupts the discussion between Alceste and Philinte. He praises Alceste highly and pledges everlasting friendship. Alceste refrains from entering into a pledged bond of friendship, maintaining that the two men should get to know each other somewhat better. Oronte then […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 2