The Misanthrope Essay, Claire Woosley, Asher-4

The situations of The Misanthrope embody the point of satire. Each scene accomplishes a thoughtful situation causing the audience/reader to laugh and think. That is the idea behind “thoughtful laughter.” This humor is not a plain joke, it is a view of society that is accurate but different from the typical critique. The character of Moliere’s, The Misanthrope, that best embodies the goal of thoughtful laughter is Alceste, the hater of society yet will not leave the society.

The play begins with a conversation between two men. These men are foils and their interaction sparks questions and laughter, if one is actually paying attention. Alceste, a man, a blunt, honest individual, is in love with Célimène, the woman that all man like of lust. He hates everyone yet he loves the fake, using woman. This is learned during Alceste and Philinte’s conversation where they seem to attempt to correct each other’s flaws. The complete disregard for who each of them is, is apparent because they criticize each other. One is too happy, the other too angry. These extremes resemble a battle between world outlooks, in the French court.

Alceste, sick of admiration, angers Oronte and Oronte, being criticized so harshly, plans to sue. The idea of suing someone for being rude demonstrates the irrational fear of being hated. To sue over opinions, even if the prosecutor wins, is pointless because they might pay for their opinion but no one can force them to change how they feel. It is clear that this practice is common and demonstrates the pettiness of these people in the play.

The hating character of Alceste brings out the fragile feeling of the other people in the play. Without reason to the character of each member would not be seen. The snarky remarks of Alceste cause one to think about the pettiness of people. To sue for feeling and to exclaim you hate everyone yet interest oneself those hated shows a hypocrisy that hits home because people are not an extreme. People are not strong enough to handle opinions in this time. People are selfish in their intolerance and judgment.

If someone is not like you, if someone offends you, if someone wants attention then consensus in the play is to argue, sue, or gossip. Without the angry ways of Alceste the frail nature of this society would not be so easily laughed at. The remarks are flowing and often cause someone to miss a part because they are still thinking about the cold remark the audience just laughed at. The thoughtfulness in the diction of Alceste and the reaction obtained from other characters sprout thought from humor, a cold humor. Alceste invokes thoughtful laughter from the audience to awaken and make apparent the ridiculousness of the society in The Misanthrope.