Cody Dunn.Wyl.P6.Misanthrope Essay

In Moliere’s Le Misanthrope, Alceste, the main suitor of Celimene, constantly provokes thoughtful laughter from the reader because of his hypocritical actions towards the truth and love.
Moliere pokes fun towards the French Court and the truth with Alceste’s ironic punishment. For example, in the play, Alceste criticizes Oronte’s poetry and is taken to court for the trivial matter. Alceste is then asked to apologize, but will not, so he loses the verdict. This is humorous because criticism may be hurtful, but is definitely not a crime. However, it also provokes thought because Moliere suggests humans are often too quick to become upset at small matters. Furthermore, Alceste helps push the plot forward with this trial because he decides that society is unjust and that he should live in solitude. Sadly, the decision is ironic because Alceste is being unjust in relation to himself. In order to uphold the truth, Alceste is obscuring the greatest truth of the trial; his speech in response to Oronte’s poem was unnecessarily brutal. Alceste was rude. Moliere implies that humans must react to different occasions in the appropriate manners.
Moliere also provides humor on the subject of love through Alceste’s courtship of Celimene. First of all, it is strange that Alceste should love Celimene when she is a fake, flirtatious, lady of the Court. Alceste claims to cherish honesty and shun the Court, yet he still cares for Celimene. Moliere uses this piece of hypocrisy to show that it is human nature to act in the interest of one’s desires, even if it means setting morals and ethics aside. The example proves humorous yet upsetting. In addition, when Alceste does gain the opportunity to marry Celimene, he ignores it because she will not join him in solitude. This is ironic because he expects her to throw her entire life and future away simply so he can keep a promise. Alceste struggles to make himself miserable and, consequently, succeeds. Moliere displays the fact that love can prove fickle when compared to one’s personal desires. He also suggests that the suitors did not truly love Celimene for her personality, but for her status and appearance. Alceste ultimately punishes himself because he is unable to accept that his beliefs conflict with those of French society at the time.
In the end, Moliere uses the character of Alceste to display hypocrisy and evoke thoughtful laughter from the reader. Many of his actions in response to Celimene and Oronte prove ironic and humorous. On the other hand, they demonstrate the flaws of mankind. Humans cannot help but seek that which will provide personal fulfillment.