Wylie, Period 5, Misanthrope Essay, Joyce Alexander

Satire is the key element in Moliere's reflective comedy, The Misanthrope. Parodying an older time, when manners and appearance were everything, Moliere exploses the flaws in society and human nature. In particular, he evokes "thoughtful laughter" with the main character, Alceste, and Alceste's love for a woman named Celimene. Alceste, the jaded misanthrope, loves Celimene even for her flaws which he outwardly despises. This satire is what awakens laughter that is both entertaining and that sparks reflection on love and the effects of love.

Alceste, who deplores many people, still has the capacity to love. He rages and rants at society, yet holds a place in his heart for Celimene. This irony, although comedic, mostly serves to prove that love can be very mysterious. It prompts one to question Alceste's motives, while also to question one's own motives. For what reasons does love come about, and how can love come from someone so full of hate? The paradox that is Alceste acts as a reflection of life. Life cannot always be understood, and there are many contradictions in human nature. Celimene even holds traits that Alceste has condemned, yet he excuses these traits with the claim that no one is perfect. He is blinded by his feelings for her. This concept - the idea of blinding love - is universal. The comical hypocrisy of Alceste is one that many are guilty of. In this way, The Misanthrope is relatable. By pointing out the flaws in Alceste, it points out the flaws in ourselves.

It takes a third party, Philinte, to confront Alceste on the error of his ways. In act one, scene three, Philinte confronts Alceste about his hypocritical love. Although the manner in which Philinte and Alceste banter is comical, it highlights a bigger idea. So rarely do people see the flaws in themselves, it often takes others to point out their errors. This characteristic of human nature is exposed by Moliere through parody and irony. While Alceste readily criticizes others, he cannot even see his own glaring shortcomings. This may cause one to reflect on their own nature, and whether or not they are blind to their flaws, like Alceste is. The characters of the play may cause laughter with their exaggerated follies, but what causes thought afterward is the idea that one may be guilty of the same follies.

With humor on the surface, The Misanthrope portrays a more serious reality underneath. Society and human nature, no matter what the time period, are flawed. Moliere's motive was not only to evoke laughter, but to also evoke self-reflection. Only through this reflection can one see the flaws in themselves.