Information about Le Misanthrope
Le Misanthrope ou l'Atrabilaire amoureux (June 4th 1666) is a 17th century comedy of manners written by French playwright Molière.
Roy Matthews and F. Dewitt Platt suggest in their introduction to the play that the argument between characters Alceste and Philinte may share some of Molière's own internal conflict. Though the level of similarity between Molière and Alceste is debated, Alceste is at least a partially autobiographical representation of the author. Molière's misanthropy at the time may have been exacerbated by the fact that he was involved in a lawsuit and that he was suffering from health problems.
This play, like Molière's Tartuffe and others, is a comedy. It satirizes the hypocrisies of French aristocratic society, but it also engages a more serious tone when pointing out the flaws which all humans possess. The play differs from other farces at the time by employing dynamic characters like Alceste and Célimène as opposed to the traditionally flat characters used by most satirists to criticize problems in society. It also differs from most of Molière's other works by focusing more on character development and nuances than on plot progression. The play, though not a commercial success in its time, survives as Molière's best known work today. Much of its universal appeal is due to common undercurrents of misanthropy across cultural borders.
Célimène- A young woman who is courted by Alceste, Oronte, Acaste, and Clitandre. She is playful and flirtatious, but she, like Alceste, also points out the flaws of everyone she meets. Célimène has trouble reconciling herself with the conventions of the society to which she belongs.
Philinte- A polite, inoffensive, selfless man who genuinely cares for Alceste.
Éliante- Love interest to Philinte and cousin to Célimène. She possesses a good balance between societal conformity and individual expression.
Oronte- An outgoing, seemingly confident man who also loves Célimène for a time. His insecurity is revealed when he is unable to handle criticism.
Arsinoé- A spiteful, unattractive older woman who is jealous of the attentions which Alceste pours onto Célimène.
Acaste- A young, pompous marquis who believes he is deserving of Célimène's love.
Clitandre- Another marquis who attempts to woo Célimène and win her love.
Du Bois- Alceste's farcically blundering manservant.
Basque- Célimène's loyal manservant.
Officer- A messenger of the Marshals of France who asks Alceste to answer for his criticism of Oronte's poetry.
Philinte represents a foil for Alceste's moral extremism, and speaks throughout the first act of the play on the necessity of self-censorship and polite flattery to smooth over the rougher textures of a complex society.
Tartuffe is a comedy by Molière, and arguably his most famous play. It was first performed in 1664 at the fêtes held at Versailles, and almost immediately censored by the outcry of the
..... Click the link for more information.
Roy Matthews and F. Dewitt Platt suggest in their introduction to the play that the argument between characters Alceste and Philinte may share some of Molière's own internal conflict. Though the level of similarity between Molière and Alceste is debated, Alceste is at least a partially autobiographical representation of the author. Molière's misanthropy at the time may have been exacerbated by the fact that he was involved in a lawsuit and that he was suffering from health problems.
This play, like Molière's Tartuffe and others, is a comedy. It satirizes the hypocrisies of French aristocratic society, but it also engages a more serious tone when pointing out the flaws which all humans possess. The play differs from other farces at the time by employing dynamic characters like Alceste and Célimène as opposed to the traditionally flat characters used by most satirists to criticize problems in society. It also differs from most of Molière's other works by focusing more on character development and nuances than on plot progression. The play, though not a commercial success in its time, survives as Molière's best known work today. Much of its universal appeal is due to common undercurrents of misanthropy across cultural borders.
Characters
Alceste- the protagonist and "misanthrope" of the title. He is quick to criticize the flaws of everyone around him, including himself. He cannot help but love Célimène though he loathes her behavior.Célimène- A young woman who is courted by Alceste, Oronte, Acaste, and Clitandre. She is playful and flirtatious, but she, like Alceste, also points out the flaws of everyone she meets. Célimène has trouble reconciling herself with the conventions of the society to which she belongs.
Philinte- A polite, inoffensive, selfless man who genuinely cares for Alceste.
Éliante- Love interest to Philinte and cousin to Célimène. She possesses a good balance between societal conformity and individual expression.
Oronte- An outgoing, seemingly confident man who also loves Célimène for a time. His insecurity is revealed when he is unable to handle criticism.
Arsinoé- A spiteful, unattractive older woman who is jealous of the attentions which Alceste pours onto Célimène.
Acaste- A young, pompous marquis who believes he is deserving of Célimène's love.
Clitandre- Another marquis who attempts to woo Célimène and win her love.
Du Bois- Alceste's farcically blundering manservant.
Basque- Célimène's loyal manservant.
Officer- A messenger of the Marshals of France who asks Alceste to answer for his criticism of Oronte's poetry.
Plot summary
This work centers on the protagonist Alceste, whose wholesale rejection of his culture's polite social conventions make him tremendously unpopular. This manifests itself in the primary conflict of the play, which results from Alceste's refusal to compliment a sonnet by Oronte, a character who lacks Alceste's respect for unabashed sincerity. The plot then thickens to involve court justice, the courting of the young widow Célimène, and her coquettishness that eventually leads to her downfall. The most memorable part of the play is the constant play on words and the extremely humorous jibes at society and its rules, as well as the pompous Oronte.Philinte represents a foil for Alceste's moral extremism, and speaks throughout the first act of the play on the necessity of self-censorship and polite flattery to smooth over the rougher textures of a complex society.
External links
- (all the text, in French)
- Plot overview (in French)
- The Misanthrope (all the text, in English)
As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th Century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700 in the Gregorian calendar.
The 17th Century falls into the Early Modern period of Europe and was characterized by the Baroque cultural movement and the beginning of
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The 17th Century falls into the Early Modern period of Europe and was characterized by the Baroque cultural movement and the beginning of
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The comedy of manners satirizes the manners and affectations of a social class, often represented by stock characters, such as the miles gloriosus in ancient times, the fop and the rake during the Restoration, or an old person pretending to be young.
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Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, also known by his stage name, Molière (January 15, 1622 – February 17 1673) was a French playwright and actor who is considered one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature.
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For the film of the same name, see Tartuffe (film)
Tartuffe is a comedy by Molière, and arguably his most famous play. It was first performed in 1664 at the fêtes held at Versailles, and almost immediately censored by the outcry of the
..... Click the link for more information.
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