Naomi Krieger-Misanthrope Essay

Thoughtful laughter arises as stupidity is displayed by people and causes one to reflect upon their own actions and thoughts. In Le Misanthrope by Moliere, Moliere utilizes Alceste, a cynical and blunt man to render thoughtful laughter. Moliere focuses on Alceste’s distaste for the french society in which Alceste lives in and simultaneously illustrates Alceste’s love for Celimene, a woman who is proud of the french societal ways. In the end Alceste and Celimene disagree on how they should live due to their drastically different morals which exemplifies that Alceste and Celimene are not to meant to be together in the first place.

Alceste portrays abundantly his detest for the aristocratic french society that he is part of while becoming enamored with the extremely flirtatious Celimene who partakes in all of the frivolous acts of the aristocratic society. Alceste initially criticizes the aristocrats who have so much wealth that they spend their time who have so much wealth that they spend their time divulging themselves in hobbies such as Oronte’s poetry. Alceste states that the poem is pathetic and despicable. Although Alceste’s distaste for the french aristocracy is well known he spends most of his time courting Celimene, who stands for the riches and high society that he detests. Celimene’s materialistic and superficial ways are not mentioned by Alceste fir he is blinded by his passion for Celimene. Celimene stands for everything that Alceste despises. It is thoughtful laughter that Alceste loves a woman who he himself feels partakes in outrageous behaviors that are an embarrassment to mankind.

Furthermore, when Alceste discovers a letter written by Celimene to one of her suitors their distinct virtues become more apparent and their relationship grows distant. Alceste tells Celimene that if she truly loves him she will move into isolation away from the aristocracy but Celimene proclaims that she cannot possibly leave this world that she loves even if it was to be with Alceste. Alceste and Celimene part their separate ways which demonstrates that Alceste ignored their differences in morals but those differences were too large to overcome in a relationship. Their fate was to not be together as a couple but for Alceste and Celimene to follow their own beliefs without one another.

Moreover, Moliere utilizes Alceste to show that Alceste is a hypocrite in part to love Celimene but hate all that she stands for conjuring thoughtful laughter. This exhibits that people are often blinded by their hearts desire when following ones heart may not be the best decision for them.