The Misanthrope Essay period 4

In Moliere’s play the Misanthrope, Celimene is the focus in many of the scenes, being the object of attraction to every man in the play with the exception of philinte. She charms the men and pays them respect and attention to their faces, but outside of their presence she vehemently scorns them. She mocks every suitor with a derogatory humor that makes the audience laugh. She harshly derides her suitors for being boring, tasteless, bombastic, pompous, and conceited. However in her back-stabbing humor is a very pointed message about the upper-class in general.

Although Celimene’s insults are directed to specific people, the words themselves are seen pertaining to multiple characters. This repetition creates for the audience, who all the while is laughing at Celimene’s wit, a sense of distance from and ridiculousness of the characters. This might have been moliere’s intention: to bring to light the upper-class’ pampered life, concered with frivolous problems and completely unconnected to the average person. However much entertainment the audience received, they would at the same time, be exposed to fairly treasonous thoughts regarding their “upper-class”. Their laughter makes them think about what they are actually laughing at: the actors or the symbols that they represent.

Moliere’s use of Celiemene’s insults contributes greatly to the entertainment of the play as well as its hidden purpose which was to inflame the spirit of the people with righteous indignation with regards to the upper-class. His purpose and goal were achieved, as this play along with many other writings brought about a revolution in France. An unsuccessful one, but nevertheless a momentous event in history that inspired the American Revolution against the British. And it was this thoughtful laughter served to start it all.

Alexander Deng Team 9