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reaganwaggoner's review against another edition
5.0
Really, really well-written play. I may look for an acted out version. It was that good. Beautiful lines and dialogues. I love the prevalence of one-on-one conversations/spars/arguments and the poetic tune of the lines. Beautiful, really. And the story itself is fantastic. Why the men love Celimene I have no idea. I love the writing style and content as a whole. Fantastic, really. And the themes - they're pretty cool too
(To Alceste) You haven't gone?
Alceste: No; and I shan't depart
Till you decide who's foremost in your heart
Celimene: Oh, hush.
Alceste: It's time to choose; take them, or me.
Celimene: You're mad.
Alceste: I'm not, as you shall shortly see.
Celimene: Oh?
Alceste: You'll decide.
Celimene: You're joking now, dear friend.
Alceste: No, no; you'll choose; my patience is at an end.
"My love for that young widow's not the kind
That can't perceive defects; no, I'm not blind.
I see her faults, despite my ardent love,
And all I see I fervently reprove
And yet I'm weak; for all her falsity,
That woman knows the art of pleasing me,
And though I never cease complaining of her,
I swear I cannot manage not to love her.
Her charm outweighs her faults; I can but aim
To cleanse her spirit in my love's pure flame."
*Summary for myself if i ever read again or want to remember*
Alcaste, main character, rants to Philinte about the corruption of mankind.. ranting about lack of integrity and character, etc. Oronte appears and asks for an evaluation of his poem, which Alceste says is terrible. Philinte appeals to Oronte's emotions through praise, but Alceste rebukes this display. Oronte is horrified at this candid response, even though he asked for it.
Alceste does not hold back in rebuking Celimene, the woman he is in love with, either. He doesn't like her flirtatious behavior with other men. Lots of gossip all over the place, which annoys Alceste. Philinte tells Eliante that Alceste will not retract opinion of Oronte's poem (lots of he-said, she-said, huh?) Eliante admires Alceste's courage; Philinte confesses his love for her.
More arguments ensue between Alcaste and Celimene. Alcaste continues to argue with Philinte about justice and society. Celimene's two suiters say she must pick between them. Then, damaging letters show up that she wrote about them. Oronte leaves, as do the other gentlemen, leaving just her and Alcaste. Alcaste asks her to retire to solitude with him, she refuses, so he no longer loves her and devotes the rest of his life to solitude and fighting society.
(To Alceste) You haven't gone?
Alceste: No; and I shan't depart
Till you decide who's foremost in your heart
Celimene: Oh, hush.
Alceste: It's time to choose; take them, or me.
Celimene: You're mad.
Alceste: I'm not, as you shall shortly see.
Celimene: Oh?
Alceste: You'll decide.
Celimene: You're joking now, dear friend.
Alceste: No, no; you'll choose; my patience is at an end.
"My love for that young widow's not the kind
That can't perceive defects; no, I'm not blind.
I see her faults, despite my ardent love,
And all I see I fervently reprove
And yet I'm weak; for all her falsity,
That woman knows the art of pleasing me,
And though I never cease complaining of her,
I swear I cannot manage not to love her.
Her charm outweighs her faults; I can but aim
To cleanse her spirit in my love's pure flame."
*Summary for myself if i ever read again or want to remember*
Alcaste, main character, rants to Philinte about the corruption of mankind.. ranting about lack of integrity and character, etc. Oronte appears and asks for an evaluation of his poem, which Alceste says is terrible. Philinte appeals to Oronte's emotions through praise, but Alceste rebukes this display. Oronte is horrified at this candid response, even though he asked for it.
Alceste does not hold back in rebuking Celimene, the woman he is in love with, either. He doesn't like her flirtatious behavior with other men. Lots of gossip all over the place, which annoys Alceste. Philinte tells Eliante that Alceste will not retract opinion of Oronte's poem (lots of he-said, she-said, huh?) Eliante admires Alceste's courage; Philinte confesses his love for her.
More arguments ensue between Alcaste and Celimene. Alcaste continues to argue with Philinte about justice and society. Celimene's two suiters say she must pick between them. Then, damaging letters show up that she wrote about them. Oronte leaves, as do the other gentlemen, leaving just her and Alcaste. Alcaste asks her to retire to solitude with him, she refuses, so he no longer loves her and devotes the rest of his life to solitude and fighting society.
nhacco's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
marthagal's review against another edition
4.0
I feel silly giving a number-of-stars-review to a play written by a dude who was BFFs with the King of France in the 1660s on a web site. I also feel silly listening to a novel by a Bronte on my iPod walking to the subway. It just feels wrong.
So, I liked it. That's all.
So, I liked it. That's all.
lucazani11's review against another edition
3.0
"The Misanthrope" is a play written by French playwright Molière, first performed in 1666. The play satirizes the society of Molière's time, particularly the hypocrisy and insincerity of its upper-class inhabitants. It is a timeless classic that has continued to resonate with audiences and readers over the centuries, and it remains relevant even today.
At its core, "The Misanthrope" is a play about truth and honesty. The main character, Alceste, is a man who is disgusted by the social conventions of his time, particularly the flattery and insincerity that he sees all around him. He longs for a society in which people speak honestly and openly to one another, regardless of the consequences. However, he soon discovers that his quest for truth is a lonely one, as the rest of society is more concerned with maintaining their social standing and avoiding conflict.
One of the strengths of the play is its characterization. Alceste is a complex and multifaceted character, who is both admirable and frustrating in equal measure. On one hand, he is a man of great integrity and courage, who is willing to speak his mind even if it means alienating those around him. On the other hand, he is a man who is unable to compromise or see shades of gray in situations, which ultimately leads to his downfall. The other characters in the play are also well-drawn, with their flaws and weaknesses exposed in a way that is both entertaining and insightful.
Another strength of the play is its use of language. Molière's dialogue is sharp, witty, and filled with memorable lines that have become famous over time. The play is a masterclass in the art of satire, with Molière using his characters and their dialogue to poke fun at the social conventions of his time. However, the play is not just a collection of clever one-liners; it also has a strong emotional core, with moments of genuine pathos and tragedy that are all the more powerful because of the humor that surrounds them.
In conclusion, "The Misanthrope" is a classic play that remains relevant today, due in large part to its timeless themes of truth, honesty, and the flaws of society. Molière's skillful characterization and use of language make the play a pleasure to read or watch, and its insights into the human condition ensure that it will continue to be performed and appreciated for generations to come.
At its core, "The Misanthrope" is a play about truth and honesty. The main character, Alceste, is a man who is disgusted by the social conventions of his time, particularly the flattery and insincerity that he sees all around him. He longs for a society in which people speak honestly and openly to one another, regardless of the consequences. However, he soon discovers that his quest for truth is a lonely one, as the rest of society is more concerned with maintaining their social standing and avoiding conflict.
One of the strengths of the play is its characterization. Alceste is a complex and multifaceted character, who is both admirable and frustrating in equal measure. On one hand, he is a man of great integrity and courage, who is willing to speak his mind even if it means alienating those around him. On the other hand, he is a man who is unable to compromise or see shades of gray in situations, which ultimately leads to his downfall. The other characters in the play are also well-drawn, with their flaws and weaknesses exposed in a way that is both entertaining and insightful.
Another strength of the play is its use of language. Molière's dialogue is sharp, witty, and filled with memorable lines that have become famous over time. The play is a masterclass in the art of satire, with Molière using his characters and their dialogue to poke fun at the social conventions of his time. However, the play is not just a collection of clever one-liners; it also has a strong emotional core, with moments of genuine pathos and tragedy that are all the more powerful because of the humor that surrounds them.
In conclusion, "The Misanthrope" is a classic play that remains relevant today, due in large part to its timeless themes of truth, honesty, and the flaws of society. Molière's skillful characterization and use of language make the play a pleasure to read or watch, and its insights into the human condition ensure that it will continue to be performed and appreciated for generations to come.
elx_ix's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
swannarchie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0