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A review by reaganwaggoner
The Misanthrope by Molière
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.