The Misanthrope Essay

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Moliere wrote the play in such a way that it becomes witty, lyrical and even conversational, keeping the audience happy and engaged throughout.
What’s interesting about The Misanthrope is how the playwright approached these themes. For instance, Moliere suggests that lying and deceit are a consequence of civilization. A natural man— a simple man—would not have reason to lie. Civilization has changed the way the world works and unfortunately, dishonesty is a part of that.
Food for thought: in The Misanthrope, however, lying is merely a tool that is not moral or immoral until it’s used in a moral or immoral way.
Another major theme that can be found throughout The Misanthrope is hypocrisy. The moral people are hypocrites, the immoral are hypocrites, heck, everyone is a hypocrite. This play doesn’t give you a choice between being a hypocrite and not being a hypocrite—it simply lets you decide which kind you’re going to be. Thus, the play is written to suggest that hypocrisy …show more content…

But the big question is, is love a game, torture or being blind? There’s a lot of talk of love in these comedy pieces, but what makes it so comedic is that no one seems to know and understand what love reallyis. The Misanthrope searches for the proper balance between reason and love. Molière would not likely advocate giving oneself completely over to "the irrationality of love." Some tact and observance of decorum is certainly necessary. But, one must be assertive in satisfying one's emotions. Part of the comedy of the play derives from the romantic dormancy of the suitors. They show up at Célimène's house and essentially sit around and wait on her to bestow her affections upon them. At least Alceste actively discusses his attraction to Célimène, however angst-ridden that attraction may be. Philinte may be the only character who gladly accepts love's irrationality. He and Éliante appear truly happy at play's

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