530 THE MISANTHROPE ot work: Drama INhor: Motte dean Botte Fagen, 1622-1673) ‘ypeot pat Comedy of manners Tea lt Sevetencenry Teale: Pare Fist presented 1655 ‘The basic question in The Misanthrope—whether Alceste is an honest man behavin, or a self-righteous, egocentric prig refusing to abide by the elementary rules of social Tong and continuing debate, a debate that may reveal more about the social attitudes ‘about the play itself. Principal Characters Alceste(il-sést’), an outspoken, rigidly honest young man disgusted with society. Protesting against injustice, self-interest, deceit, roguery, he wants honesty truthful ness, and sincerity. He hates all men because they are wicked, mischievous, hypoeritic, and generally so odious to him that he has no desire to appear rational in their eyes. He would cheerfully lose a law case for the fun of secing what people are and to have the right to rail against the iniquity of human nature. In love with a young widow, CCéliméne, he is not blind to er faults but feels that his sincere love will purify her heart. He controls his temper with her, for he deems her beneath his anger. Despite her ‘coquetry, he will excuse her if she joins him in renoune- ing society and retiring into solitude, Sceing himself eceived on all sides and overwhelmed by injustice, he plans to flee from vice and seek a nook—with or without CCéliméne—where he may enjoy the freedom of being an honest man, Célimene (si-lé-mén’), a young widow loved by Alveste, though she embodies all qualities he detests, ‘She is fir, a gossip with a satirical wit demonstrated in caustic sketches of her friends, a woman anxious for flattery. Not certain that she truly loves Aleeste, she feels that he may be too jealous to deserve her love. In the ‘end she scornfully rejects his invitation o grow old and bury herself in the wilderness with him, Philinte (fé1ant’), a friend of Alceste. Believing in ‘The Story Alceste had been called a misamthrope by many of his Sind and he tok a rather obstinate delight in the name, this characteristic led him to quarrel heatedly with his {g00d friend Philine, who accepted uncitcally the fri. ‘lous manners ofthe day. When Philinte warmly embraced ‘chance acquaintance, as was customary, Alceste main- ‘ained tat such behavior was hypocritical, especially since i decen HM discoune ‘cr Tae “ civilization, tt, conformity, he is and sober rationality who tae yok reget Ales says that Ont’ sonnet oa Nak Phin flatrshi ote entment oe, tae he admits that trickery usually win 1g itno reason to withaw fom sockty* te (OTN), a Young op whe wel the court an withthe ung he inuenes therefor Ales. When inn and ine ejected ands man beings charges against Azote Thogee ine, he rejects his love when he leans sre of him, and admits he has been duped. ante it), Cline etn, wom ideas are smart hile’ nd who man cai. Though she enoys gop, de see leeste admits, and favors people whospea wi Arsino ies n'a calor Cea prude who offers advice on honor snd maa A Materer, she is also outspoken at ine Acaste (cist) and Cltandre (Ae tnd), and fops. Both desire the love of Clintne ove them. Basque (bisk), a servant to Cline Dubois (di-bua), Alcestc's servame An Officer of the Maréchaussée (nih), deliver a summons to Alceste Philinte hardly knew the man, Pilinte reminded Aleest that his laws a ready for trial, and that he would do well © hhis attitude toward people in general. His oppone the suit wore doing everything posible cy but Aleeste insulted everyone he met and mate 4 win over the judgested Aleste on his love for Celimene, ne ey, was hypocritical ment rs natant that Tas lve could wares et ON he quarrel by coming 10 visi ie a one is ese: B® Sroate asked permission to read a sonnet oronte: sed, as he was anxious to have Alceste's Fi ee merit lest ected hesitation, Oronte read his medic AE So est, 100 honest to Be fle pase on cs and even satirized the poor quate of ie ‘sissy wok offense eet oe wo Few quarrel broke out. Although the argu, Fo eae tc teat he ae ce went fo call on Céliméne. As soon as he re tean perversely 0 upbraid her fr hort sv be rand her hypocritical attitude toward other ci ugh Célimene could stander and idle Mit and a barbed tongue while a person ag wae wall flatery and tention when taking set aie displeased lees. sittin Tot anounced several calles, incding Te Alceste’s dismay, they all sat down for Siar abe conversation. The men took great delight : fl their mutual aequaimances. aed innit Ps mentioned, Climéne made’ uakisd a ee only gentle person in the room was Eltante, rents Td vense and Kind heart were in suiKing contrat str fimtne's caustic wit. Ellante was overhadowca, ce bythe moe briliant Céliméne. The men si wee had nting to al coy eat een say be ater, 10 remain longer with Chace [ase termined tobe the lst 0 leave aad apeaed, however, to summon Ales before tetitonal, Astonished, Alceste learned that his quarrel ‘it Orne had become public knowledge, and the irs intended to prevent a possible duel. Loudly peeing that except for an order direct from the king tong could make him praise the poetry of Oronte. a ed Ricnaan oie socan nto mace eee get ite, came fo call on Célimene. She took the {Fermiy to warn Célimne that her conduct was ces aga sean, because het many suitors and her sharp ‘bane were hurting her reputation. Céliméne spoke bit. ingly of Arsinoé’s strait-laced character, Ansinoé decided to talk privately with Alceste, with ‘whom she was half in love. She comforted him as best Critical Evaluation 2.2 kter to a fiend, Jean Jacques Rousseau, the wh century writer and philosopher, stated that “the Carried away by Atsino€ offer way bY the intimacy of her tak. hare oe eum for Alceste by speaking in OF Agee fart Bul the two concer ne, though unsuita Very point of view, 1p unsnlnabe from almost Was fast tie life When Céimane’s suitor she told them that she Was tired of the niceti she decided to say wh sion was shocking rs clemored for an explanation, had written the letters because she es of polite conversation, For once hat she really thought, This confes- to the suitors who thought frankness and rudeness were unpardonable crimes. Hypocrisy flat, tery, cajolery,extravagances—these were the marks of a Bentle lady. Protesting and disdainful, they left together, never to return, Only Alceste remained. Even the coguetish and mali- ious heart of Céliméne was touched. When Alceste epeated his vows of fidelity and asked her once more to ‘marry him, she almost consented. But when Alceste revealed that he wanted them to go into exile und lead Quiet, simple lives, she refused. Céliméne could never leave the false, frivolous society she loved. ‘Now completely the misanthrope, Alceste stalked way ‘with the firm resolve to quit society forever, to become 4 hermit, far removed from the artificial sham of pre- ciosity,Philinte and Eliante, more moderate in their views, hhowever, decided that they would marry. character of Alceste in [The Misanthrope] is that of a fair, open and . . . truly honest man (and) the poet makes532 wim adgt of ile? To what extent ar ese tae “teees ‘one finds that although Sova the ply ls . ‘subject aa ‘0 is the society he ridi- subject tt . ism ofthe flies of the age: the hypocrisy of court Iie» the absord manner required by all who attempt to SPPE3r ft cout the dishonest practice of bribing judges i oder to win a Jaw suit, the ludicrous poetry SE et ith ole simply base wring psy ws one the cts required of a gentleman ofthe time, in gossiping even ifthe gossip were o destroy the g00d name ofan individual, Moliére attacks all of these prae- ties through Ales ‘And al these tacks ae seen be valid Beeause thexe practices ae nt observed inthe behavior of those tubo represent the golden mean: Philint (Alest's best frend) and Eliante (who loves Alceste and is, in tara, loved by Phin), They lave the gossiping, the poetry wwiting, the absurd activities to others. However, there is an important distinction between their behavior and ‘Aleeste’s They ae willing to acknowledge certain social customs as essential to maintaining a stable society and accept thse who practice these customs. Alceste, on the ‘contrary, not only refuses to conform but delights in con ‘emning all those who do not conform. ; “Thus, although Molize would agree with Alceste's view of society (2s shown by the assent of Philnte and Eliot), be would disagree with his excesive manner im attacking the social fabric. this leads to the first part of Rousseau statement (hat is, Alest i “fai, open and truly hones"). For Moiee takes great pains show us tat Aleste is none ofthese The opening scene ofthe play shows him condemning his fiend Philite for having shown civility man be hardly knows. Alest calls Phlinte’s action a crime and declares he would rather di than commit such an ind nity Ales insists that acts of friendship should be reserved for those who are one's true frends. He declares that friendship has no meaning if it must be shared. His extreme reaction to Piline’s armless act would seem to indicate that what Alest resents most about the actions is that itreduces his relationship with Pilineto the same level as all other relationships; he insists that he wants tobe singled out, chosen fr his vrwes, valued for him- self. His atitud is hardly fair to Pilint, who fails to view his action asa criminal offense and maintains that in order to survive in society, one must sometimes com- promise ‘Although Alceste appears to be “open and truly hon- st” we find that his actions belie Rousseau’ statement ‘When asked by Oronte to comment on a sonnet he has , Aleeste attacks it mercilessly. The poem is, obviously, of litle merit, but Aleste again overrects, ‘One cannot help but wonder if Alceste's reaction to the poem stems from his knowledge that it Masterpieces of Wort, ery imone, whom be 1oves, by 8 Fival, who cis above al inhi relationship with ey ey, vst question Aleeste's openness and yt truly despises the falseness of his society, jog I ecount for his love for Céliméne, the epitgy the faenes ofthat society? His Csliméne wh fasip about people» behind their backs, in a) 2erallion scene. It is Céliméne who leads ons APeaitos by writing Tovingleters to all of ye Celimene who isthe quintessence of the hypoene™ Society Alceste condemns. Yet, he loves her at Sion that overcomes his reason—a situation qe $51 source for comedy as well s tragedy in seve century French drama. neen ‘Aleste is aware of all of Céliméne’s fats yer sothing to control his passion. The modest, agate Phang would seem to be a mor likely shoe ete Affection, but Céliméne is the recipient of a gj ‘And as with is fiend Philint, he refuses t dha Jove with anyone else. When she acknowledges ine enjoys her way of life, he chastises her inthe ene manner he used to criticize Philite inthe opening ofthe play. And can one cll a man “fair” wigs et hae believes he has found proof that Céliméne is une to him, turns to Eliante asking het to help him sont himself on Céliméne by accepting his heat? Eject fortunately, i reasonable enough to realize that aleege is speaking in a moment of unreasonable anger and gests that he not use her to seek revenge on Célimen’ ‘The nipeme example of Aces tonanbat hypocrisy he professes to detest is presented in st scene 3. He confronts Céliméne with what he belive to be her treachery. Rather than give him the answer he desires—that is, that she loves only him—she apres with his charges. He is brought to a point of ultmas despair and begs her to pretend that she loves bi tht such pretense will suffice. At this point, the comedy closely approaches tragedy, for we find’ Alceste, the upholder of truth and honesty, begging for deception ‘The seventeenth century belief in the overwhelming power of uncontrollable passion can account, in pat fr Aleeste’s behavior. However, one can find examples throughout the play clearly demonstrating that although ‘Aleeste is correct in upbraiding society for its hypoeri- ical behavior, much of his criticism is directed at those ‘whose esteem he desires. It would thus seem that part of his protest rests in his fear that if all are treated with he same courtesy, how can one “set the worthy man apa"? He wishes to be loved and honored for himself and ot merely because society deems such behavior cote. He Want to beset apart: tobe Philint's Des rend (and at share the socal niceties that Philinte bestows on othe), to be Céliméne’s only lover (and not share her comp with that of other men). ‘It would thus appear that not only is the first part of 's tatement incorrect, but Mole’ te 3s wlpeso 333 Pees fo Pie due of sci shown tobe vali, his behavior is is Pelmine ae bvious). Hedoes, Shown to be ridiculous. Thus the second part of Rous. Beat ea although Akestes sae or per ‘seau’s statement is corre.