Misanthrope - Wylie p.5

"The Misanthrope" by Moliere is a French comedy that satirized lawsuits and the legal system of France at that time. One of the main characters of this play, Alceste, hates mankind and believes everyone is a in a battle for their own greed yet try to please each other endlessly. This characteristic of Alceste is shown through the said lawsuits. However, it was not Alceste's attitude toward people that evoked thoughtful laughter from me but rather how he excluded a certain person from his hatred.

In the beginning of the play, it is revealed that Alceste is in love with Celemene. He is is madly in love with her, yet she stands for all he hates in people. She is fickle, shallow, and an obnoxious flirt, yet Alceste dotes on her and finds her perfect. This evoked thoughtful laughter from me. Alceste, who seems to believe he is good enough to complain about other people comes to think that someone so imperfect is perfect. Through this, he comes off as a hypocrite that goes against the very words he says.

The phrase "love is blind" is a cliche and over used one, however, it is very much true in many cases. People cannot choose who becomes their object of affection and who becomes important to them. The idea that Alceste is in love with flighty Celemine truly brought out thoughtful laughter as I proceeded to think about how accurately this phrase reflects this situation.

Although it is true that humans do have problems with being greedy and shallow, I believe it is never right to voice these opinions so loudly for one never knows when they will become hypocrites for what they proclaim.

-Rachel