Misanthrope Essay

Does a pessimistic or optimistic outlook on life truly prevail over the other? Should one continue to pursue a lover if there is doubt that the lover does not love him back? These are two of several questions that Moliere leaves the audience with in his satiric play “The Misanthrope”. While characters of the play are often placed in distorted dilemmas of French court life for humorous purposes, Alceste is placed in the forefront of the play as someone questioning the moral aspects of society and promotes thought in a play meant to mock upper-class life. His conversations with Philinte, struggles for Celimene, and disputes with other characters like Oronte provide the framework for the ‘thoughtful laughter’ Moliere intends to encourages in the “The Misanthrope”.

In Act I, Alceste is seen bickering with his friend Philinte over Alceste’s court case and their attitudes toward life. Philinte portrays the ‘good guy’ stereotype and appeals to the audience through his optimism and his belief that everyone should be loved. Moliere situates Philinte in the play not only to serve as a foil to Alceste but also as a character that he believes the audience will side with. On the other hand, Alceste is the misanthrope and questions Philinte’s overarching altruism by stating that “to love everyone is to love no one at all”. Such contradictions between the two characters encourage the audience to rethink their stance on this issue. At the same time, the circumstances under which the two are debating in (with petty court cases, lovers, and rivals fighting for lovers galore) provide a light-hearted and ludicrous backdrop while encouraging thought pertaining to the French court’s silly cat fights during the overall perilous nature of the era.

As Alceste and Philinte argue about loving everyone or not, Alceste continues to chase after Celimene, a coquette and the object of many men’s affections. Oronte, another man who greatly admires Celimene, engages in a passive-aggressive confrontation with Alceste as he asks ‘asks for advice’ on his love poem written to Celimene. The laughable antics of the two now bitterly resentful men become a more thought provoking scenario in Act V when Alceste, Philinte, Clitandre, and Acaste corner their ‘lover’ Celimene and ask whom she truly loves. Celimene, who is initially portrayed as an amiable and decent woman who seems to take a liking for Alceste, is revealed to have been writing love letters to these men while attacking the others for various reasons. In an ironic twist of fate, these four adversaries now become allies as they awaken thoughtful laughter by questioning the integrity and moral values of all the characters in “The Misanthrope”.

While all characters play a role in providing thoughtful laughter in the satirical play, Alceste provides the catalyst that moves the plot forward not only by placing himself in farcical circumstances but also by criticizing society’s beliefs and values.

-Freddy Tsao, Asher P1 T1