Misanthrope Essay - Lilian Coie, Wylie Period 5

The Misanthrope, by Moliere, passes George Meredith’s ‘true test’ of comedy. Moliere evokes not just careless laughter in his audience, but thoughtful laughter. Moliere presents the audience with characters like Philinte who the audience laughs at, but in the end is shown to be the wisest character of all. In doing this Moliere has gotten the audience to laugh at their own foolish nature, making them think twice about society and their own way of living life.

Philinte is portrayed in the opening scene as naïve and trusting opening him up for ridicule by the main character, Alceste. Alceste is tormented by society’s refusal to say things as they are. Tact and white lies are not only foreign to him; he hates them and anyone who uses them. Philinte acts as a foil to Alceste, his only true friend in the play, and points out all the good brought by being kind and complementing people good naturedly. The problem in this is that the audience is on Alceste’s side at this point and laughs at Philinte for being so naïve. It makes sense to them to not find friendship with someone whom you dislike. It makes even more sense, later on in the play, to not praise Oronte or his horrid sonnet as Philinte does, but rather to speak the truth and tell Oronte just how awful it is. The audience laughs at Philinte’s actions, asking themselves why he would go out of his way to make someone feel good about their writing if it is indeed awful. Instead they praise Alceste for having the courage an honesty to tell Oronte the truth. Philinte’s actions, when held in contrast with Alceste’s actions, provoke an unwitting laughter in the audience.

As the play comes to a close this unthinking laughter turns thoughtful as the fates of Philinte and Alceste become clear. Not only is Alceste Being brought up on charges for being so discourteous to Oronte, he is also denied the love of not only Celemine but Eliante as well. Meanwhile Philinte is on the best of terms with everyone in the play and because of his honest, but humble, declaration of love to Eliante is also the only character to succeed in his ventures with love. Suddenly Philinte’s actions throughout the play don’t seem so cowardly or naïve. It is Alceste’s turn to be accused of being foolish and weak. His harsh words to Oronte and his lack of honesty and patience with Celemine left him out in the cold with no one by his side. The audience now thinks back on their laughter and re-thinks their opinion on Philinte. Philinte’s actions have made the audience ponder about society on top of just meaningless laughter.

Moliere in providing such a perfect foil to Alceste, the misanthrope of the story, provides a ‘true comedy.’ Philinte, the man who plays into society and accepts people faults rather than being brutal and hateful is the happiest character in the end,. On top of being a hilarious comedy Moliere gives the audience lovely social insight, and gains George Meredith’s respect.